Why do Buddhist Monks wear Orange Robes and Shave their Heads?
Monday, March 9, 2020 IST
Being a visitor to Southeast Asia (especially in Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia), you’ll notice Buddhist monks wearing Orange Robes and an almost skin tight hair cut. Why you may ask? What does it both symbolize?
The saffron (for a more appropriate name for the color) robes monk wear dates back centuries. Orange was chosen mainly because of the dye available at the time. The tradition stuck and orange is now the color of choice for Theravada Buddhist followers in Southeast Asia, as opposed to a maroon color for Tibetan monks. The robes themselves are meant to symbolize simplicity and detachment of materialism.
And what about the hair? Why is it shaved? A monk’s hair is shaved off so to symbolize simplicity and detachment of materialism. Yes, it’s as simple as that. How many times have you stood in front of the mirror and combed your hair? Or styled it? Or complained about a bad hair day? This is exactly what does not happen with a shaved head.
Some say Buddhism is more than just a religion, it is actually a philosophy of how to live a fulfilling life.
Related Topics
Trending News & Articles
Nanda Vrata is dedicated to Shiva and it is believed that Goddess Sati observed this vrat to get Shiva as her husband. It is observed during Phalgun Shukla Paksha...
Recently posted . 18K views . 3 min read
This question has seeked me ever since I can remember ...from my childhood..in my dreams...in my realisation and my internal assimilation of Lord Krishna as my god....
Recently posted . 9K views . 1 min read
Story of Sharabha and Narasimha
In Hinduism, the ‘trimurti’ (Gods) - Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, are...
Recently posted . 7K views . 1 min read
Have any of you realised how beneficial and helpful the lemon is when kept in a transparent glass of water, what it does? Here is the lemon ...
Recently posted . 6K views . 1 min read
More in Spiritual
Before placing my first foot on the floor every morning, I say a prayer to Mother Earth, a prayer from the Bhakti tradition:
Recently posted. 1K views . 0 min read
With Navratri just around the corner, there is a significant degree of bliss and felicity in the air surrounding people of different cultural backgrounds. Owing t...
Recently posted. 1K views . 3 min read
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: It is believed that there is an imperishable, peepala tree that has its roots upward and its branches falling on the floor....
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 4K views
Recently posted . 3K views
एक बार एक शिव-भक्त अपने गांव से केदारनाथ धाम की यात्रा पर निकला। पहले यातायात की सुविधाएँ तो थी नहीं, वह पैदल ही निकल पड़ा। रास्ते में जो भी मिलता केदारनाथ का मार्ग...
Recently posted. 699 views . 5 min read
Kathgarh Mahadev History in Hindi : हिमाचल प्रदेश की भूमि को देवभूमि कहा जाता है। यहां पर बहुत से आस्था के केंद्र विद्यमान हैं। हिमाचल प्रदेश के ...
Recently posted. 690 views . 4 min read