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The best answer to "why orange" I found here:
http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefirstbuddhists/a/robes.htm
In brief the color (historically) came from the washing/staining of the material in vegetable matter and spices like saffron.
As a result it is considered the "traditional color" but Buddha's teaching is simply to wear "pure cloth" which translated to cloth that no one wanted. Originally the cloth was scavenged from waste piles and burial grounds.
Today the cloth is no longer scavenged. Instead they use donated or purchased cloth. No reason for the change in Buddha's original teaching (or interpretation) was found but if you ask a Buddhist monk they might be happy to explain.
I can only guess that Christian monks had access to different resources when dying/making their clothing, thus the difference in color.
It is unlikely that a direct comparison is possible due to different teachings for the wearing of robes and where the materials were to be obtained.
http://buddhism.about.com/od/thefirstbuddhists/a/robes.htm
In brief the color (historically) came from the washing/staining of the material in vegetable matter and spices like saffron.
As a result it is considered the "traditional color" but Buddha's teaching is simply to wear "pure cloth" which translated to cloth that no one wanted. Originally the cloth was scavenged from waste piles and burial grounds.
Today the cloth is no longer scavenged. Instead they use donated or purchased cloth. No reason for the change in Buddha's original teaching (or interpretation) was found but if you ask a Buddhist monk they might be happy to explain.
I can only guess that Christian monks had access to different resources when dying/making their clothing, thus the difference in color.
It is unlikely that a direct comparison is possible due to different teachings for the wearing of robes and where the materials were to be obtained.
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I don't think that's the whole story; but, I was asking the question not trying to answer it.
Monks of the Theravada tradition of Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Thailand wear plain saffron or ochre robes. This reddish-yellow (orange) color is called kasaya or kasava in Pali sources and kashaya in Sanskrit sources. These monks wear these simple robes in emulation of the Buddha's humble garb and to represent their own detachment from the physical world in their pursuit of enlightenment.
Why Orange? It's the color I'm asking about, not the simplicity. Did Buddha wear Orange?
I'm not sure why there is a difference in robe color between christians and buddhists but here is the reason for the color of the buddhist robes.
The colour of the robes depends on the dye used. Until very recently, this would have been natural vegetable dye found in the jungle from roots or trees. (In NE Thailand, for example, we used the heartwood of the jack-fruit tree.) Nowadays chemical dyes are more used and sometimes give that more vivid orange colour that one sees in Bangkok. The colour white is used by Buddhist devotees to show their commitment to keeping the Precepts — usually the Eight Precepts — on Observance Days. (White robes are also worn by the anagarika, or postulant before he becomes a monk.)
The colour of the robes depends on the dye used. Until very recently, this would have been natural vegetable dye found in the jungle from roots or trees. (In NE Thailand, for example, we used the heartwood of the jack-fruit tree.) Nowadays chemical dyes are more used and sometimes give that more vivid orange colour that one sees in Bangkok. The colour white is used by Buddhist devotees to show their commitment to keeping the Precepts — usually the Eight Precepts — on Observance Days. (White robes are also worn by the anagarika, or postulant before he becomes a monk.)
What color is the dye from the heartwood of the jack-fruit tree?
I found the answer to that one:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/AjahnChahSangha.jpg/180px-AjahnChahSangha.jpg
Mostly, for both groups (Christian and Buddhist Monks) it just had to do with what dyes were available within the price range afforded by the economics of their respective orders and branches of faith.
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Buddhist robe colors are further discussed here: http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/things/monks_robes_hats.htm
I enjoyed the answer given by the Venerable Dhattajeevo Bhikku in this article: http://www.dmc.tv/pages/en/good_questions_good_answers/monk_robe_color.html
His explanation supports my assertion that locality influences the color originally due to what was available to dye with. But all these answers are in regards to Buddhist monk robes, not Christian monks. Although it is worth noting that in certain regions Buddhist monks robes were/are brown.
Even Buddhist monks associate the colors with a life of sacrifice and poverty. Christian monk robe colors originally may have been due to inexpensive dying processes. Some sources say that the color black means the monk is dead to the world. Yet Franciscan monks wear brown.
I found this article also interesting about other monks: http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Monk
Colors are associated with regions, regions produce different sources for dying the cloth. Christian monasteries also differ in what is worn. Whether it be black, brown, white or a combination. Knowing what monk is with what monastery was obvious.
In conclusion, while a deeper story sounds cooler. I think the answer is very simple. As simple as the life of a monk. :)