Abstract:
It gives us pleasure to release this writing as a complete intensive study on
the greatly unexplored area of the Buddhist Robe for the benefit of the researchers
and for the University undergraduates verifying and identifying how natural dyeing
plays a pivotal role in colouration in ancient context which signified much with
its eco-friendly nature, what is commonly discussed and falls into sustainable
practices.
The Buddhist Robe: the path pointing to natural dyes and possible
establishment of a natural dyeing industry in the apparel sector of Sri Lanka with
special reference on the Buddhist robe is a scholarly work is the first of a series
intended primarily as a invaluable reference source book for undergraduates of our
Universities. This is a totally a practical guide in applying how the related natural
colour substances apply to real life situations like offering Kaṭhina Cīvara Pūjā by
colouring natural dye stuffs, since Professor Samudrika devoted more than 15 years
exploring, experimenting and specializing in natural dye stuffs creating a path way
for many followers by taking the initiative to invoke the imperative provisions
of natural dyeing for the benefit of the textile sector meeting the expectations of
the sustainable practices which recover through the proper application of natural
dye stuffs which are available to us. The page by page coverage of the Sri Lankan
Buddhist robe dye history with sumptuous imagery and experts’ accessible guide to
the natural dye tradition of the country. This will serve as a great reference for not
only for undergraduates who involve in the appreciation of natural dye traditions
of Sri Lanka but also for academics who teach the subject and researchers who are
involved in the respective fields. Combining contextual facts impact with cultural
significance, the traditional robe dye adorns all types of surfaces from discarded
cloth to refined cotton cloth.
This scholarly work reflects this ubiquity by presenting a biography of dye
forms in a different way – painted, literal and laboratory status of dye particles.
Chapter one contains the uniqueness of Sri Lankan dye stuffs spread throughout
history where natural dyes are plucked from history brought to the fore with essential
details isolated and framed. This permits a detailed research of how natural dye
systems become of a part of Buddhist traditional practice and culture of the country.
Further this work discovers intriguing cultural elements and connections, which
are based on original references too. This is an overview and an in-depth research
of the robes worn by the Buddhist monks with its cultural context in relation to the
great chronicle of Mahāvaggapāli, Vinaya-piṭaka of the Pali Canon in its 8th chapter:
‘Cīvarakkhandakaya’ describes the robe of Buddhist priests and its traditional
practices. The second chapter is dedicated to establish a historical representation
of the Buddhist robe emerging in the socio-cultural context in terms of developing
its visual and figurative aspects discussed with an array of visuals depicted in Sri
Lankan temple paintings. The third chapter highlight the art of traditional dyes
in Sri Lanka with its colour substances, methods, materials and some significant
dye recipes based on well proven literary facts. The fourth chapter considers the
scientific clarification of the methodology of robe dyeing and its characteristics
under set laboratory condition.