Is it a sin to get a tattoo in the Buddhist religion?

Answer 1

IT'S NOT A SIN FOR THE BUDDHIST RELIGION TO GET A TATTOO BECAUSE EVEN THE BUDDHIST MONKS GOT TATTOOS ALL OVER THEIR BODY....AT THE SAME TIME, THEY ALSO DO TATTOO TO ANY PERSON (I MEAN MALE ONLY) WHO WANTS ONE...SO DEFINITELY, ITS NOT A SIN ;>

p.s. buddhist monks do really have tattoos because i can see them everyday and at the same time every time we go to the temple ;>

Answer 2

OK, I've done a spot of quick Googling for you. From what I can see, Buddhism doesn't really have a concept of sin in the same way as many other religions do - in the sense of 'doing something that would offend a supreme being'.

I also can't find anything to suggest that getting a tattoo is definitively considered a bad thing in Buddhism. There appear to be questions in some quarters about the merit of the idea of getting a tattoo, but no out-and out prohibitions, and many sources seem pretty positive about tattoos.

There are also issues of proper treatment of Buddhist symbols, to ensure that they're treated respectfully, which raise some questions if you're a Buddhist planning to have a tattoo related to Buddhism. Some sites therefore suggest that getting a tattoo of a Buddhist symbol below the waist would be inappropriate, others that it would be difficult to treat such symbols appropriately wherever you located them, but I can't find any hard-and-fast rules. I did find an account by a Buddhist monk writing about his tattoos...

Assuming that you are a Buddhist, my advice would be to ask your spiritual advisor about this. They'll be best placed to give you information.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

My research shows similar results to Marzipan's. This kind of makes sense based on the nature of Buddhism. It's a very introspective belief system, and doesn't even have the characteristics that you'd expect to find in a "normal" religion. A lot of focus is based on personal spiritual matters, but interestingly the body isn't taken as a positive or a negative (as segments of some religions do). One's physical being is just a vehicle to Buddhists, so it kind of makes sense that it's no big deal. It's not a sin to paint your car, for example.

Some symbols might be frowned upon, as you're concentrating more on the symbol than what they represent, but that's hardly the same thing. Art that demonstrates that lesson would be far more respected.

Different strains of Buddhism will have slightly different nuances, but in the end I doubt you'd have a problem.

Answer 4

Tattoo Gallery, Lettering, Photos & More

Answer 5

Why?
You don't need to worry that much about religion, man. If it is, hey, screw 'em. I'm going to hell too.

Answer 6

no no