The thesis entitled a study of the taking robe of Buddhist monk in Theravada Buddhism, it has three objectives, 1) to study of the robe appeared in the Buddhist scriptures, 2) to study of the development of the robe in Theravada Buddhism, and 3) to study of the values of using the robe in Theravada Buddhism. This thesis is the qualitative research by study the data from the Tipitiak Texts and related documents.

             The result of study was found that :

             The yellow robe in Theravada Buddhism means the clothing of Buddhist monk or novice as appearing in the Tipitaka that is called the discarded cloth or rage-robe, it is soiled or loathsome as dirt, it was taken from the garbage or shrouded in the cemetery, and then washed, sewed to be a robe that is the clothing of Buddhist monk who lives in the simple way of life. It became a complicated way of life, the using more robes than the Buddha’s permission, He just allowed using only the "triple robe" (tricivara) comprises an inner garment or waistcloth (antaravasaka), an upper robe (uttarsanga) and outer robe (sanghati). It is a comfortable for monk’s life. The eight requisites of a Buddhist monk are consisted of the five parts of cloths such

as an inner garment, the waistband, the robe, an outer robe, and a water-strainer; and the three parts of steels such as the bowl, a razor, and a needle. The robe (civara) is named the clothes of a Buddhist monk, it is called as the clothing such as the three robes which have both dressing and garment. For the cloth is called an upper robe (uttarsanga) which consists of a small rectangular piece of cloth and sad cloth. It had not cut and sewed again. It is suitable for monk. The small square cloth which stitching together as a pattern was designed by Ananda Thera until Buddhist monk had used these clothes up to now.

             There are many meanings of the taking robe of Buddhist monk in Buddhism, because the robe is the respected cloth for Buddhist people, it is the highest cloth. The dyed robe was appeared in Pali, this cloth is called Kãsãya (kãsãva): clothing. These clothes are for the people who only ordained in Buddhism, not other religions even though their wearing is not called Civara (robe).

             The Buddhist monk’s garment is carefully used to train mindfulness and awareness, not used for beauty or elegance, but it was simply to counteract the sun, the wind, the cold, and the touch of flies and mosquitoes.

             From the study of the valuable significance of the robe in Buddhism, to study of the taking robe of Buddhist monk in Theravada Buddhism, it can be concluded into two sides, 1) to maintain the Discipline, the right way of maintenance of the Discipline is to study and practice oneself in the correct way in the discipline what the Buddha laid down, a Buddhist monk must follow the disciplinary rules on the taking robe or going to alms bowl, does not break the disciplinary rules. 2) To propagate Buddhism, the taking robe of a Buddhist monk or novice is not matter going to promote Buddhism in both directly and indirectly way. It is the way of showing to people saw the monastic life on the simple way, as be content, easy to support, with peaceful faculties.

Download