What are buddist hats called?

Answer 1

Buddhists in general do not wear hats, because Buddhist monastic rules forbid the wearing of hats except for ritual/ceremonial purposes - an exception to this rule is made in cold weather.

As an example of this 'no hat' restriction, when the Dalai Lama was awarded an International Honorary University degree he removed the traditional mortar board from his head and just carried it in his hand.

In China Buddhist priests wear a skullcap called a bao-tzu or mao-tzu. In Japan the priest's cap is pillbox shaped and is called a bosa.

The Karampa (third in the heiracrchy of authority, the Dalai Lama being the highest authority in the faith) of the Kagyupa school/group/denomination sometimes wears a Black Crown [Tibeoan: shwa-nag]. In Sanskrit it is called vajra mukut (thunderbolt crown.)

In Tibet, the Sakya school of Buddhists wear a distinctive red ceremonial hat known as the sa-zhu, or pan chen zhwa dmar. It looks like a turban. The lappets of the hood are kept in a raised and crossed position, and thus show a diagonal ribbon indicating rank. The original hat from which the sa-zhu is derived is called kyang-zhu, which means 'extended', referring to the long side flaps which were worn hanging down, not raised and crossed as they are today. At ceremonial times the Gelugpa school wear a tall, pointed yellow hood, known as a Tsongkhapa, after the man who introduced this tyle. It is also known as a 'Yellow sne ringhat' (Tibetan: pan zhwa sne ring ser po).

You are very unlikely to see a Buddhist wearing a black hat. If you do see a Buddhist wearing a ceremonial hat, it will very likely be either red or yellow. So if you simply used the description Yellow Hat, or Red Hat, most people would probably know what you are talking about!

In fact, the Nyingma, Kagyu and the Sakyaschools of Buddhists are often known as the Red Hats, and those of the Gelug school are actually known as the Yellow Hats!

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Answer 2

Buddhist monks often wear a type of hat called a "kasa" or "kesa," which is a traditional headgear made from cloth draping over the head. It is a symbol of their monastic vows and represents humility and simplicity in their lifestyle.