Sacred Object
Khata
Tibetan: ཁ་བཏགས།
The khata is a ceremonial scarf, traditionally white silk or silk-like fabric, offered as a gesture of respect, greeting, gratitude or good wishes throughout Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist cultures, presented to teachers, honored guests, and at shrines and images of deities.
- Category
- Vestment / ornament
Material Culture & Craftsmanship
Khatas are traditionally woven from silk or a silk-substitute fabric, most commonly white, though colored khatas (including blue, yellow, white, green and red, sometimes symbolizing the five elements) are used in specific ceremonial contexts. Length and quality vary considerably, from simple everyday scarves to elaborately woven ceremonial versions.
Symbolism
The khata's white color is associated with purity and compassionate intention, and the act of offering one is understood as an expression of good will, respect and an auspicious wish for the recipient, whether a person, a teacher, or a deity image.
Ritual Use
Khatas are offered when greeting or taking leave of respected teachers and guests, presented at shrines and to images of deities and stupas, and draped over statues, thrones and ceremonial objects during rituals and festivals throughout Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist communities, including in the Kathmandu Valley.
Sources & References
- The Buddhism of Tibet, or Lamaism — L. Austine Waddell, W. H. Allen & Co. (1895) · Link
Public domain.