A Study of the Buddha’s Role as Pioneer of Costume Innovation accustomed to Nature and Environment: A Case Study of Yellow Robe Products

Abstract

This research paper entitled “A Study of the Buddha’s Role as Pioneer of Costume Innovation accustomed to Nature and Environment: A Case Study of Yellow Robe Products” is of two objectives, viz. (1) to study history of yellow robes and the role of the Buddha as the pioneer of robe innovation; and (2) to synthesize knowledge on creating innovation that are friendly to nature and environments. Methodology is a documentary research. The findings are: civara or yellow robe is a costume of monk, one of the four requisites; cloths, food, dwelling, and medicine. Civaras were acquired by two ways of getting from rag heap or wrapping cloths of the deceased in graveyard, and then clean and cut in a form of robe. Another way is to receive from the householders.  At the beginning, the pattern was not certain uniformed. Robe innovation took place when the Buddha ordered Venerable Ananda to invent a new design for robes as the bow (ridge) of Magadha farmers. This design was accepted and permitted to use till today. Robe innovation of the Buddha, all raw materials are acquired in the locality, by local intelligence, friendly to nature and environments. Consumption of monk must be economic and valuable, not to disturb people unnecessarily, conforming to solitude and getting rid of defilements.