Buddhist wear

Himalayan Buddhist dress

In Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, Buddhist women traditionally wear regional dress rather than the saree, such as the Ladakhi goncha and perak headdress, the Sikkimese bakhu or kho, and the Monpa and Sherdukpen dress of Arunachal. These are woven of wool, silk and cotton and worn at festivals such as Losar and at weddings. The saree is worn by some women in towns, for formal occasions, and in the Buddhist communities of the plains. These local dresses are the main festive wear in the mountains.

Monastic colours

Buddhist nuns and monks wear robes in saffron, maroon or yellow, depending on the tradition. In Theravada communities of the east, such as those of Assam and Arunachal, nuns wear saffron or white, and lay women who observe the precepts on holy days wear white. In the Tibetan tradition, maroon and yellow are worn, and the Mahayana communities of Sikkim and Ladakh follow their own forms. These robes are not sarees, but the colours often inform what lay women choose for temple visits and festivals, with plain, light or saffron cloth preferred.

Neo-Buddhist and other communities

In Maharashtra and other states, the Buddhist communities that took up the faith under Dr B. R. Ambedkar, often called Navayana Buddhists, commonly wear white on Buddha Purnima and on Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din, both men and women. Women may wear a white or pale saree to the vihara, and the Nauvari or the Nivi style is used depending on the family. In Bengal and Tripura, the Barua and Chakma Buddhist communities have their own weaving traditions, and Chakma women wear the pinon and khadi, a two-piece wrap.

Customs and etiquette

When visiting a Buddhist temple or monastery, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and remove shoes before entering. White, saffron, maroon and plain light colours are respectful, and black or very bright clothes may be less appropriate in some places. At festivals, follow the local dress if you are invited, and ask before taking photographs. Women who observe the precepts on holy days wear white. If you are a guest at a wedding or Losar celebration, ask the family about what to wear, because the dress differs greatly between communities.

Worth knowing

• Goncha and perak: The Ladakhi woman's robe and turquoise headdress.
• Bakhu: The Sikkimese wrap-around dress.
• Pinon and khadi: The Chakma two-piece woven wrap.
• Losar: The Himalayan Buddhist new year, a major day for festive dress.
• Buddha Purnima: The day of the Buddha's birth, observed in white by many.

Good to know

• Wash woven woollens by hand and dry them flat, away from the sun.
• Keep white cloth for observance days separate.
• Cover your shoulders and knees when visiting a monastery.

Sources and further reading

• Buddhism in India on Wikipedia
• Losar, Wikipedia