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

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.