robe question

[jcsuperstar]

what is the point of that extra robe, folded up, that just hangs over the shoulder?

[Dhammanando]

Hi JC,

It's called a saṅghāṭi and was originally prescribed for use in cold weather. It still serves this purpose for thudong monks and monks living in cooler climes, but for everyone else it is now merely decorative.

Best wishes,
Dhammanando Bhikkhu

[jcsuperstar]

cool thanks!

[gavesako]

Often this robe is no longer made properly, i.e. as double-thickness robe, which requires quite elaborate sewing. Most town and village monks will just use another robe and because they never unfold it, they sometimes staple the ends together so that it stays flat and pretty!

[Mawkish1983]

so that it stays flat and pretty!

---- for vanity? :s

[BlacKat]

It seems the sanghati could also be used as a bed cover, blanket, etc. But nowadays it's mostly worn as part of the "uniform" and has lost it's functionality.