opinion on a religous tattoo?

Question

I would like to get a tattoo of a Tibetan Buddhist script on my ribs that say "om mani padme hum". Does any practicing Buddhist or any religious person find this offensive or do you think other religious Buddhists would find this offensive?

i'm buddhist btw. my knowledge isnt that extensive but i believe i do know the buddha's teachings and the primary goal of the religion.

im planning to get the tat once i'm old enough, which is not anytime soon. i just want opinions so that i have time to think

Answer 1

You should think about this for a while. Tattoos are expensive to remove. They can also turn into blue marks you can't decipher after time. Why not express yourself in some other way besides mutilating your skin? Maybe a custom made temporary tattoo would be a good option.

Answer 2

Most Tibetan Buddhists won't see anything wrong with using a mantra for a tattoo, even if they don't commonly do it themselves. The main possible problems are (very seriously!) the part of the body on which it appears, and what sort of things appear around it (especially above it). A high part of the body shouldn't be any problem: chest, back and neck... Anywhere close to the armpit will be a big No. A Tibetan-language text from around 1910 does describe how to make tattoos, so it isn't unknown. But some Thai Buddhists accept tattooing as a religious practice, even including Buddha images with their Thai-script scriptures (there's a nice website about this). I'm personally opposed to tattooing if it is for any reason *besides* religion! But don't plan on changing religions in this lifetime if you do this.

Answer 3

I practice Nichiren Buddhism. There is nothing in my practice that addresses body art. Many of my Buddhist friends have tattoos including a couple of our mentors.

I don't know what "om mani padme hum" means so I don't have a personal opinion on your specific tat, just a comment about tattoos in general.

What does it mean?

Answer 4

I don't find it offensive. I actually love seeing all tattoos, and tattoos showing someones religion are beautiful to me, whether it be my religion or not. Simply because there is a Buddha "shrine" if you will at a restaurant I eat at doesn't stop me from going there. I respect the beliefs of others, and I think YOU should do what YOU feel you want. Who cares what another person says about it?

Answer 5

I cannot pretend to know what Buddhists believe, but I believe your body is a temple. When you get a tattoo, it's like defiling the temple. But that is my belief. If it were me, I would check with someone in the hierarchy of the Buddhist religion to better understand their beliefs before I did anything.

Answer 6

I don't find it offensive if you are a Buddhist and do it....I have no clear understanding of your beliefs...

I know Christians don't get tattoos because the bible teaches us not to mark up our bodies, cut our bodies or get tattoos...it is wrong for us.

Answer 7

I wouldn't find it offensive, but I would suggest that you really think about your decision before following through with it. That's a good choice, though; I have a few mantra tattoos as well. Good luck.

Answer 8

I think it's terribly hard to offend Buddhists, short of annexing their country.

Answer 9

It wouldn't offend me; I'd think it was neat.

Someday, I want to get a tattoo of the Chinese character for 'serenity.'

Answer 10

My personal opinion would be to say no. What if your views change? Do you want falsehood permanently enscribed on your skin? Are you less devout if you do not get this? I doubt it.