Cleveland Museum of Art

Buddhist Priest's Ceremonial Robe

Date

1400s

Medium

silk and gold thread; embroidery

Culture

China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

Department

Textiles

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This example of imperial embroidery is one of the earliest surviving Chinese Buddhist robes ( kasaya ) in the West. Depicting 991 Buddhas, each slightly different, it is constructed out of patches in reference to the legend in which the Buddha's favorite disciple divided a robe he was given into 30 pieces. Patchwork is also a sign of humility. Multiple Buddha images known as “thousand Buddha” designs are seen painted and sculpted on the walls of cave temples in India, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and China, but are rare on garments. The Four Heavenly Kings, guardians of the four directions, occupy the textile’s corners. When draped around the body, the inverted figures in the upper left corner appear right side up. Robes with 25 columns were worn by the highest-ranking clergy on ceremonial occasions. The Five Transcendent Buddhas, who symbolize the purity of the five elements, are repeated around the edges.

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