Monks' Habits

[bankei]

Hi

There are at least 4 ways that robes are worn in Thailand:

1. 'hom dong' = one shoulder covered with robe folded and belt tied around waist over robe + Outer robe is folded over the left shoulder

2. 'hom chiang khiaw = robe rolled and cover one shoulder

3. 'hom koom' = both shoulders covered

4. 'hom mongoon' = both shoulders covered. more difficult rolling technique.

No 1 is only done by Mahanikaya monks. This is done at ceremonial occasions.

No 2 is the usual way to dress in the temple

No 3 is the way when going out on bindabart and outside the temple in general.

No 4 is the same as 3, but not many monks can manage this technique.

Dhammayut monks don't wear the No. 1, but instead just wear their robes in No. 2 and put the outer robe folded over the shoulder for ceremonial occasions. Some Mahanikay monks do this as well, including the monks of the Acharn Chah group.

Some monks in the north also use the outer robe when going out on bindabart by placing it over the inner robe and wrapping it around the body in no 3 style, ie a double robe.

BTW, the Japanese Buddhist traditions, including Zen, don't follow the vinaya and are not ordained as Bhikkhu/Bhikkhuni. So they don't follow the same, or even similar rules. I recall flying from Japan to Bangkok with a Japanese Buddhist delegation and the Japanese 'monk' drinking on the plan being redfaced and drunk when meeting a welcoming party of Thai monks.