Himalayan Art Resources

Subject: Meditation Cloak

Monastic Appearance

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Meditation Cloak Description (below)
- Masterworks
- Confusions
- Others...

A meditation cloak is generally a thick and heavy garment that is used in Tibet, the Himalayan regions and farther north. The garment is of local creation and designed to keep the practitioner warm during cold winters, sitting in cold temples, or meditating in the high mountains. The garment is not part of the monastic robes as defined in the Buddhist Vinaya Pitaka texts and it is not exclusive to the monastic community.

The design of the mediation cloak is best observed at the back, or the reverse side of a sculptural image. The neck has a collar or a band of cloth and attached to the bulk of the cloth with a pleated sewing technique. The collar can be very decorative or made of patterned silk brocade for the teachers of high office.

Jeff Watt 3-2017

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).