Buddhist fashion

Many Buddhists follow fashion including the collar up style

Lay people have no specific requirement about clothing and unlike Western converts to such Eastern movements as Hare Krishna, Buddhists do not need to wear any robes, white or any other color or paint their foreheads. Buddhists follow the culture of the land they live in and are not asked to follow a foreign culture just because the founding teacher is from another land.

In spite of this, some lay Buddhists like to wear yellow (color of Buddha's robes and yellow also represents 'middle way') or white, but in the style of modern clothing, not robes. This is a voluntary color choice of some Buddhists and not a requirement. Some like to wear the modern clothing of their culture but in one of the colors of the Buddhist flag; yellow, white, orange, blue, or red.

A Buddhist man at Vulture Peak with orange shirt, collar up

Godwin Samararatne in traditional white and a student-friend with flannel shirt, collar up

Some Buddhists like to wear yellow or white, although it is not a requirement

At Dhamma centers most Buddhists wear simple, modern clothing that is comfortable to sit in for the meditation sessions. This includes t-shirts, halter tops, dress shirts (regular shirts with buttons and collars), jeans, flannel shirts, polo shirts, and sweat suits.

Fashion, for many is considered an art and for some Buddhists, art is seen as another attachment. While it is clear that a fully enlightened arahant may have little use and no attachment to mundane things like art, for other Buddhists and those interested in Buddhism, art can be a wholesome action and interest. The Buddha saw its value because he said monks and nuns could beautify their monasteries by painting them different colours and decorating them with various geometrical and floral designs (Vinaya 2. 117). As Buddhism spread in the centuries after the Buddha's passing his teachings gave an impetus to all the arts - painting, sculpture, poetry, drama and to a lesser degree music. There are Buddhist Vinaya rules against monks and nuns indulging in arts, shows, and games, but this rule does not apply to lay people. Monks and nuns are supposed to devote their lives to the study and teaching of Dhamma and it would look unseemly for them to be seen by lay people engaged in such things as watching movies, painting pictures, or discussing fashion.

Fashion can not only be an acceptable interest in the arts, but also a skilful means for acquiring more interest in Buddhism. For many non-Buddhists, there is the false belief that Buddhists, similar to Hare Krishnas and other religions or movements based out of the East, must wear Indian robes or other robes from Asian cultures. Lay people wear what they like and Buddhists who wear modern clothing and especially those who wear fashionable clothes in artistic ways, demonstrate that Buddhists adapt to their local cultures and are otherwise no different than most other people in the dominant society. For those that follow the fashion trends, it can be an opportunity for practicing other Buddhist teachings (besides Skilful means), including that of Anicca (impermanence), letting go, and non-attachment (as the styles change). And then there maybe the chance for generosity (dana) as those who change some of their wardrobe can give it to the less fortunate.

Shown on this page above and below are the many examples of lay Buddhists, including celebrities who wear the collar up style. It is not exactly clear why the collar up style is particularly popular among Buddhists, but it may be from the Mandarin (Manchurian, Nehru collar) stand-up collar style mixed with modern clothing of dress shirts and polo shirts for an East-West fashionable look. As styles change we can expect many Buddhists to continue to follow the fashions of their cultures while still practicing the Buddha-Dhamma.

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  Meditation position with collar up. Lay Theravada Buddhists do not wear robes during meditation and may wear whatever they like

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  Elaine Wynn with shirt and blazer collar up

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  Goldie Hawn with polo shirt collar up

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  Jennifer Lopez with collar up (has stated she has interest in Buddhism)

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  Kate Hudson with coat collar up

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  Sharon Stone, actress, fashion model, and Buddhist here with coat collar up

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  Tiger Woods mother is a Thai Buddhist and he has shown interest in Buddhism, shown here with his favorite color of red (a Buddhist color)

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  Tina Turner, a Nichiren Buddhist, seen here with denim jacket, collar up

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  Jackie Chan with the traditional mandarin stand up collar

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  Polo shirts with collar up, especially have a similar look to the mandarin collar

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  Jackie Chan with collar up

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  Jackie Chan with blazer coat collar up

• Crosslegged2.jpeg

  Many Buddhists wear comfortable sweat suits which are flexible for cross-legged positions

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  Cross-legged position with white halter/tank top

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  Cross-legged position with collar up

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  Yellow shirt with collar up, kneeling position

See also: Clothes & fashion