i hope this doesn't sound too silly of a question but i've been wondering about it for a while. why do they shave their heads? and, also, their eyebrows? if you're a buddhist or someone with a considerable amount of knowledge about buddhism reading this, then it'd be great if you answer this question. =)
2006-07-07 22:08:37 · 17 answers · asked by anak sendu 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The main idea of Buddhism is to achieve Enlightenment, like the great prophet Buddha. They follow his ways. He shaved his head. Many lose most of their material possessions, besides what they need to live. They see the physical things as an attachment to this world, as something they should not focus on. They think that leads to emotions such as anger, fear, and greed. Their teachings are rather interesting, dealing with human emotions and ideals as a basis to define life, so that is why it is such a popular religion around the world as well! We could all learn a thing or two from a Buddhist monk...
2006-07-07 22:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by Xtreme 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Buddhism is something you DO ... 24/7. You do not have to take the vows at all ... but following the guidelines of the vows ... THAT is what counts. The only difference between taking the vows and not-killing, and not taking the vows and not-killing, is that the person who has taken the vows earns more merit (good-karma) for not-killing than the one who did not take vows. However, by the same token, the person who has taken vows to not kill and who DOES kill (even if it's a quick, non-thinking slap on a mosquito on their arm), has earned much more negative karma for killing that mosquito, than the person who never took the vows in the first place. Therefore, our lamas tell us to work on following the precepts for 3-5 years before taking the Refuge/Precepts vows. Do not take them until you see, long-term, that you can indeed keep them. A year is not long enough. Like any other "love" of our life, we can be infatuated with Buddhism and lose that infatuation within 3-4 years ... we lose interest, start swatting mosquitos or drinking alcohol ... the vows remain, though, and the additional bad karma is earned because we DID take those vows, even though we've changed our mind now. Be patient. There is no room for being impatient in Buddhism, anyhow. You are getting really good answers from these other people here ... ignore the TD's. Seems that sometimes some people just take offense at the fact that we are talking about Buddhism (instead of Christianity of Islam, or whatever) ... and just TD's everyone. Because the answers you are getting are true-Buddhist answers.
2016-03-26 21:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a buddhist. Also, I'm considering becoming a monk.
The reason monks shave their head is to signify that they are not attached to this world's temporance. For most monks, twice a month is the amount they shave their head, however they can shave as often as they like and some lay monks are allowed to grow their hair. The main shaving is done during the ceremony of leaving home. This signifies that the practioner is entering into practice and as such detaches oneself from the world, just as siddharta guatama showed his detachment or un yoking to the world when he cut off his hair.
I don't know anything about shaving of eyebrows.
Just for a bit of additional info since we're focused on monk's scalps, those little burn marks they put on their head are caused from incense and are a personal choice and sign of dedication to the practice of buddhism. I believe at one time in the chan(zen) tradition they signified a type of rank among the monks, I'm not sure.
2006-07-07 22:30:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no special knowledge about buddism but I have read long time ago that the hair on the head are considered to be the "antenna" of the mind and shaving their heads they "cut off" interfirences from the earthlink life.
2006-07-07 23:01:46 · answer #4 · answered by UncleGeorge 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That way, they are closer to god. There is no hair in the way. And in case god wants to enlighten the person, the hair can prevent that. So, no hair for all believers.
No, I don't really know. I am sure the religion does not require them to do it. It more of a choice I think, and could be for many different reasons.
2006-07-07 22:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by demaman 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So they don't get lice. Remember, the vinaya was written over 2,000 years ago when lice, fleas, and such things could carry plagues and kill many people. Hygiene while living in close quarters with many other men could be a matter of life and death.
2006-07-07 23:54:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they get rid of all posses ions. Including hair.
Buddha shaved his head and called his hair "weeds of ignorance" and by getting rid of it they fell they can reach enlightenment faster.
Hope that helps.
2006-07-07 22:11:48 · answer #7 · answered by BWLJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
may be because hair is just physical things.. they don't want to get bother with it.. just look at the section 'beauty and style'.. "do my hair is look nice".. "what style should my hair be".. "i want a straight hair, should i bounding my hair"
we tend to differenate people by it's look.. like skin-color, beauty/not, and hair is one part of it..
i don't know about the eyebrow =p
so may be it's just an option..
hehe jadi tertarik spiritual stuff juga neh? ;)
2006-07-07 22:18:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they want to diff looks.. we hall have normal hair cuts,,, Sikhs have long hair & turbans SO buddhist decided to go for shaved heads to look DIFFERENT from others
2006-07-07 22:25:42 · answer #9 · answered by PrinceCharming 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Easy identification.
2006-07-07 22:17:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋