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waist band
keep it clean
ceremonial fan sitting cloth - robe
robes - monk
(no fan club)
taking care
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The traditional list of requisites allows the monk
eight items: 3 robes, an alms bowl, a waistband, a razor, a sewing
kit and a water strainer. The first two are discussed elsewhere.
• The waist
band was allowed by the Buddha when "a monk's lower robe
fell off while he was in the village causing much discussion and concern".
Sensible man the Buddha. They are made of either sewn cloth, or custom
woven out of cotton or sythetic fibers. Should you ever be given the
choice go for synthetic - they may not be 100% eco but they last.
• At one time a monk's hair
was long and the Buddha asked: 'Monks, would you cut one another's
hair?' When they agreed the Buddha allowed
monks a razor, whetstone and case, and felt for wrapping.
He also stipulated that hair should not be more than two fingers breadth
long and should not be styled, combed or grey hairs plucked out (a
reflection on vanity). These days
shaving equipment varies. Some monks (often living in remote or poor
areas) will use an old style cut-throat razor as these can be sharpened
and there is virtually no need to ask for new blades. More commonly
a three piece razor is used with the safety gaurd removed (the hair
clogs the teeth of the safety) - see thumbnail. Electric clippers
and shavers are OK but don't really give a clean result - their big
advantage being they are more or less bloodless. Although hair can
be left to grow it is not uncommon that monks will shave their head
every two weeks as a preliminary to the fortnightly recitation of
the vinaya rules. Monasteries I have lived in make this part of a
'purification' process on the day before the moon day when there is
a communal (male sangha only) sauna, often shared head shaving, a
shower and clean robes. On the observance day there is the confession
followed by the recitation [see: LIFESTYLE - MONASTIC
- VINAYA]. This purity of body and speech is obviously symbolic
of the ideal purity of mind but as a rite of passage it has a significant,
positive effect.
• A sewing
kit has a needle, like this ! and thread --------. Simple
huh? Most sewing would be done on a machine but repairs are commonly
done by hand.
• Water
strainers are intended to remove living creatures in drinking
water and can be as simple as a piece of cloth over the top of a cup.
The importance of this requisite is more obvious in tropical countries
where water borne life is prolific.
• Other
requisites commonly used these days - soap, toothpaste,
candles and matches (or gas lighter), watch or clock, flashlight.
Depending on the environment monks may have considerably more - e.g.
in snow areas skis would be necessary. If a monk has a particular
area of responsibility this may involve having special equipment -
e.g. publishing dhamma books (or even web sites!) requires a computer.
A monk can own many things (if not specifically prohibited) but the
overall principle is one of modesty
- such that the articles involved would not appear (particularly to
lay supporters) as indulgent, unnecessary or luxurious.
• The
monks fan is an interesting item. They can be used to make
a breeze but more often are used for ceremonial purposes. Special
fans are sometimes presented to monks in acknowledgment of a particular
achievement - often some service to the order. They are often made
to mark a particular occassion - e.g. the opening of a temple, the
consecration of a stupa - and are given to visiting monastic dignitaries
as a 'souvenir' of the occasion. They are also used for 'discretion'
or impersonality; say when a monk is speaking with a woman and prefers
not to make direct eye contact or, more commonly, when giving the
precepts to lay people the monk sits behind the fan as 'a symbol of
sangha' rather than a 'personality' (playing down the 'guru syndrome').
Traditionally they would be made from palm leaves and other natural
materials but now many are of embroidered cloth.
• Other items may include
an umbrella (for the rain or sun), a shoulder bag (often made of cloth),
sandals (this may extend to boots in some climates), a spoon and ....
• The
offering cloth is another, slightly esoteric, item - (perhaps
limited to Thailand?). It has its origin in the vinaya rule restricting
monks' contact with women and the logic is that when a monk receives
something from the hand of a woman there is the possibility of physical
contact. The vinaya is clear that food can be received into a bowl
or onto a tray so we have: the offering cloth. In practice it is usually
a small strip about 400mm x 70mm and when a woman wishes to offer
something to a monk the cloth is laid out - one end is held by the
monk and the item is placed on the other end. The intention to directly
receive the item is explicit through implied contact - but there is
no contact. Superb logic - but some Western women, unfamiliar with
the custom, sometimes find it a bit insulting so it can remain a contextual
item.
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