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The Monto Shikisho is an embroidered brocade cloth band draped around the neck of Sangha members who attend the Shin Buddhist Dharma service. Its origins evolved over millennia and goes back to the time of Shakyamuni Buddha and northern India.
Shakyamuni Buddha and his disciples wore robes called Kashāya in Sanskrit meaning “of impure or muddy color.” They were made by sewing together pieces of cast-off cloth and dyed with the cheapest dye then available, which produced a yellow-orange or ocher color. They did this to minimize any attention to their clothing. It also served to make everyone an equal to everyone else. No one person stood out as different or, superior or, inferior because of the clothing they could afford to wear.
Over the centuries as Buddhism spread to other parts of Asia changes were made. In colder countries, like Japan, it was worn over regular clothes. Gradually this garment now became more symbolic in Japan as it also became smaller in size. Its Japanese name was shortened to Kesa.
This Kesa was also subject to causes and conditions. When members of the Japanese Imperial Court became patrons of Buddhism in Japan the Kesa changed from simple cloth of muddy color to richly embroidered brocades. The Imperial Court ladies donated their dresses to the monks who cut up these garments to sew into Kesas. Today’s Kesas of Jodo Shinshu evolved from those of the Tendai School of Buddhism of which Sharan Shonin was a monk in his early life.
Over time, Sangha members of Shin Buddhist Temples began to wear a version of this, called a Monto Shikisho. It is a narrow band of brocade cloth with its ends connected by a cord and worn around the neck.
Monto refers to the followers of Nembutsu who belong to the Honganji School of Shin Buddhism. Shakyamuni Buddha did not discriminate. This is called the spirit of Hiraza, total equality. Hiraza became a foundation of Shin Buddhism. It was Rennyo Shonin (1400-1499) the 8th Monshu of Jodo Shinshu in Kyoto, who is believed to foster this spirit of Hiraza by the wearing of the Monto Shikishō, a version of what is worn in Shin Buddhist Temples to this day.
Under Rennyo Shonin’s guidance, it was said, a poor illiterate farmer can hear the Buddha Dharma seated next to the King. Wearing the Monto Shikisho was the great equalizer that completely annihilated social class, economic class, education, profession, royalty and all other status marks. In the Hondo (main hall) all were equal Mahayana Shin Buddhists. All would listen to the Buddha Dharma. All were equals.
Not only is the Monto Shikisho symbolic of the followers of Jodo Shinshu, but also shows one to be a truly free human being with the Buddha Dharma. It is a symbolic showing of respect and connection to the Buddhist tradition. Today, wearing the Monto Shikisho may be our gentle reminder that all mundane thoughts are put aside as we prepare to hear the Buddha Dharma with our Sangha.
In gratitude for the inspiration and sourcing from: Cocktails by Rev. Masao Kodani and Monto-Shikisho and Its Significance by Rev. Kakei Nakagawa, Rinbān.
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