Hello qpet:
Thanks, as always, for the fascinating question.
The answer to your question depends, in part, on which religion you
are talking about. However, most of what I've found indicates that
originally, priestly robes were just the normal mode of clothing for
the population at the time. Only later did they evolve into an attempt
to distinguish the liturgical from the secular.
The following websites give excellent details on the evolution of the
priests' robes.
Catholic Encyclopedia - Vestments
URL: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15388a.htm
Quote: "Development - Four main periods may be distinguished in the
development of the Christian priestly dress. The first embraces the
era before Constantine. In that period the priestly dress did not yet
differ from the secular costume in form and ornament. The dress of
daily life was worn at the offices of the Church."
Vestments
URL: http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/vestments.htm
Quote: "MAN'S nature is such that he needs external helps to assist
him in fixing his attention on sacred things. We are all impressed to
a remarkable degree by "pomp and circumstance." A king on his throne,
clad in his royal robes, holding his scepter and wearing his jeweled
crown, is an imposing sight; all these accessories indicate his
dignity and help us to realize his greatness. The same king without
these trappings of royalty would possibly be a very insignificant
object."
Catholic History
URL: http://friarsminor.org/xix10-2.html
Quote: "Vestments. - THEIR Distinctive Character. It was the common
belief in the middle ages that the vestments used by the Church at
Mass and other services were derived from the Jewish temple, though
Walafrid Strabo had a better notion of the historical aspect of the
question, and affirmed ("De Reb. Eccles." C. 24) that Christian
priests in the early ages officiated in the common dress of daily
life."
Jewish Liturgics
URL: http://www.liturgica.com/html/litJLit.jsp?hostname=liturgica
Quote: "In Exodus chapters 25 to 27, detailed information is provided
about the physical structure of the Temple, including its dimensions.
Instructions for the Ark are also given. Internal decor of the
Tabernacle, up to and including detail about the priest's vestments,
the use of incense, the presence of an altar, the daily offerings, and
the use of images are all part of the revelation in The Torah."
The Monastic Robes
URL: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/robe_txt.htm
Quote: "The monk's robe goes back to the Buddha's own time for, it was
He who introduced it to the early monks. The 'triple robe' (tricivara)
comprises an inner garment or waistcloth (antaravasaka), an upper robe
(uttarsanga) and outer robe (sanghati) (Vin 1:94 289). In addition to
these, the nun also wears a vest or bodice (samkacchika) and has a
bathing-cloth (udakasatika) (Vin 2:272) which altogether comprise her
'fivefold robe'."
I hope this information helps in your project.
If you need any clarification of this information, please ask using
the Clarification Request feature. And please allow me to provide any
needed clarifications before rating this answer.
Thanks.
websearcher-ga
Search Strategy (on Google):
history vestments
jewish vestments history
jewish robes importance
jewish high priests robes
buddhist robes history
"buddhist robes" history |
Clarification of Answer by
websearcher-ga
on
23 Mar 2003 18:18 PST
Hi qpet:
Thanks for the clarification request.
I was able to find references to a desire for poverty, a lack of
individualism, and a feeling of "brotherhood" in the dress for monks
(both Christian and Buddhist). Most monks are also ordained priests,
so they should fit your criteria.
However, for more "standard" priests - there were more references to
their robes/vestments being to give glory unto God. That is, to be
splendid.
Some of the sources I found included:
The Vestments of the Priests
URL: http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Gleanings_Exodus/exodus_51.htm
Quote: "And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt
make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory
and for beauty" (v. 40). It is very striking and most blessed to mark
that here we have repeated what was said in v. 2. There, we read how
that Jehovah said to Moses, 'And thou shalt make holy garments for
Aaron thy brother, for glory and for beauty.' So here in v. 40 the
Lord gave instruction that Aaron’s sons should also have robes made
for them for 'glory and for beauty.' As pointed out in the previous
articles, the various garments worn by Aaron, pointed to the inherent,
essential and personal excellencies of our great High Priest. That
which was prefigured in those worn by Aaron’s sons was the graces with
which Christ’s people are endowed, by virtue of their association with
Him."
Exodus 28 - Garments for Priests
URL: http://calvarychapel.com/simivalley/commentaries/Exodus28.htm
Quote: The garments were made for glory and for beauty; since there
was something glorious and beautiful - indeed, 'heavenly' about the
priestly service, it was appropriate to make the garments glorious and
beautiful."
History: Buddhism: Quick Look
URL: http://www.cyberessays.com/History/5.htm
Quote: "Monks are expected to live a life of poverty, meditation, and
study. They must avoid all sexual activity. They devote themselves
to work, study, and prayer. They all dress in special robes. Monks
play an important part in preserving and spreading Buddhism."
Quality of new robes disturbs some 'poor friars'
URL: http://www.oakridger.com/stories/122801/rel_1228010010.html
Quote: "St. Francis founded his order of 'poor friars' in this
hillside town nearly 800 years ago, dedicating himself to a life of
poverty that was defined by the plain brown robe he chose to wear."
I hope this additional information helps.
Thanks.
websearcher-ga
|
