In the very beginning, the Three Robes and an Alms Bowl were used to symbolize Buddhist monastics. Therefore, Buddhist monks never travel without the Three Robes and an Alms Bowl no matter where they go. The Three Robes refer to sanghati{1},uttara sangha{2}, and antarvasaka{3}. Overall, they are named 珧kasaya{4}珣. Kasaya means the robe worn by Buddhist monastics whose color is dull or yellow-brownish.　　

The Three Robes each has its own purposes and meanings:

1. Sanghati：is also called the monk's coat-robe, multiple-paneled robe, multi-patched robe, vastly superior robe, robe for entering the palace and villages, and so on. It is worn on the occasions of going out, or on attending solemn ceremonies such as entering the palace or villages, alms procession or ascending the seat to give a Dharma talk, or subduing the heretics. It is sewn with nine patches or twenty-five patches. Hence, it is also called the nine-paneled robe.

2.Uttara sanghati：also called seven- paneled robe, upper robe, middle-ranked robe, public-gathering robe, and so on. It is worn on the occasion of chanting, listening to the teachings or posadha{5}. It is sewn with seven patches.


【Key Words】

{1} sanghati：僧伽梨

{2} uttara sangha：鬱多羅僧

{3} Antarvasaka：安陀會

{4} Kasaya：袈裟

{5} Posadha：布薩