Kasaya (clothing)

The kesa is a monk's robe, a garment that expresses the affiliation to a Buddhist Order.

A kesa made ​​of fabric strips, which are sewn together by hand. According to tradition, the first Buddhist wandering monks have made ​​their robes from discarded scraps of fabric, shrouds, etc. and colored ocher. Through the recycling of old clothes, fabric donations, materials of certain applications and stitching and inking by hand the Kesa receives its spiritual significance. Especially in Zen Buddhism you value the Customize a kesa before ordination as a monk or a nun.

It is also worn by members of the " Western Buddhist Order " ( WBO). In this case, there is a wide strip of cloth, at both ends of three flaming jewels " Three Jewels " sewn as symbols of. The kesa is white with the usual ordination. The color expresses purity. If the Order member would like to receive the additional practice of " brahmacarya " (sexual abstinence ), it gets a golden Kesa. This is the WBO but no higher ordination represents and can also be taken back.