As one can notice, there are obvious differences in manner of dress from the original dress of Buddha s order. This may be perhaps also due to the late influence Buddhism had in Tibet as compared to other countries such as China or Japan. Hats have been incorporated into many orders of Buddhism not only in Tibet, but also in such places as China, Mongolia, and India. Although there seems to be no mention in the Buddhist scriptures of a hat being mentioned in part of a monk s outfit, it is a necessity for the shaved head of a monk living in a cold climate. The materials typically used for Tibetan hats are of thick felt, flannel, or blanket.
Typical colors used in Tibetan hats are yellow, red, and black.
Shapes for hats range widely, but most have some type of peak on the crown. These two elements are important for differentiating hats for sectarian and ceremonial purposes. The most typical hats are of an Indian type, but Chinese and Mongolian hats can also be found. Fabled to have origins from the abbot Santa-rakshita of India. The shape of this hat is similar to the hats now being used in colder temperatures of India.