For my project, I had to stand in a public place for an hour and then reflect upon the diversity that I saw in my community. One person I saw was of Asian background, and clad in loose, beige trousers, and a matching shirt which was also loose-fitting. He wore flat sandals (the non-thong variety). On his head was a tight, tan, knit monk cap. Based upon my description, could this man have been a monk? If so, what sect or country do you think he could have been from?

Question

For my project, I had to stand in a public place for an hour and then reflect upon the diversity that I saw in my community. One person I saw was of Asian background, and clad in loose, beige trousers, and a matching shirt which was also loose-fitting.  He wore flat sandals (the non-thong variety). On his head was a tight, tan, knit monk cap.  Based upon my description, could this man have been a monk? If so, what sect or country do you think he could have been from?

Ms. Sue · Answer

Does the clothing in this site similar to what the man was wearing?

http://www.alhannah.com/cgi-bin/guide?a;mensclothing

You also said the man looked "Asian." Do you mean Asia as from China or Japan or elsewhere in eastern Asia? Or perhaps he was Asian from India or Pakistan? Or Israel or Turkey?

Caitlyn · Answer

By Asian, I mean east Asian (Chinese, Mongolian, Nepalese, etc.) The hat wasn't quite like that; it was a bit larger, so that it went almost to his ears.

Ms. Sue · Answer

I doubt if he is a monk. I used Google images for "Asian monk" and found that none of the ones pictured wore a hat. You might try that source with a variety of different search terms.