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Random question

sachikosachiko
edited February 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Somebody asked me this today... I wasn't sure how to answer. :confused:
Why do Buddhist monks (and nuns of course) shave their hair? :hrm:
It's a bit of a silly question but does it have any kind of significance?

Comments

  • Now-Is-realityNow-Is-reality
    edited February 2010
    Well, I think that Buddhists monks/nuns shave there heads in order to detatch from physical and material things. I am guessing the same reason why, following the 8 precepts, they are not supposed to wear perfume, make-up or jewelry... I would imagine it is one of the things that encourages an ego--self apperance.
    But I may be wrong :).
  • BrotherBobBrotherBob
    edited February 2010
    lice, fleas, cuz it's easy to take care of, more hygenic, and kinda cool! :rocker:
  • MindfulMeMindfulMe
    edited February 2010
    sachiko wrote: »
    Somebody asked me this today... I wasn't sure how to answer. :confused:
    Why do Buddhist monks (and nuns of course) shave their hair? :hrm:
    It's a bit of a silly question but does it have any kind of significance?

    As Now-Is-reality suggested, it's a symbol that expresses their non-attachment beliefs.
  • BrotherBobBrotherBob
    edited February 2010
    Excuse me; I live as a monastic. I don't really know any monastics who engage in 'symbolic' appearance stuff, aside from performing liturgies in the temple. I certainly don't shave my head to express non-attachment, to anybody or myself. I shave my head cuz it's the best way to stay clean (i.e. bathing), it's cheaper to care for (I live in poverty), If I can't bathe for a few days it doesn't get oily and stinky, I don't shave to the skin but I do take shears to the head, and I only have to do this every couple of weeks and we can pass the shears around to save money. Hum, that's about all I can think of now!

    I imagine in the Buddha's time it was pretty much the same, except of course there was a much greater chance of spreading lice or fleas, etc.
  • MindfulMeMindfulMe
    edited February 2010
    Brother Bob wrote: »
    Excuse me; I live as a monastic. I don't really know any monastics who engage in 'symbolic' appearance stuff, aside from performing liturgies in the temple. I certainly don't shave my head to express non-attachment, to anybody or myself. I shave my head cuz it's the best way to stay clean (i.e. bathing), it's cheaper to care for (I live in poverty), If I can't bathe for a few days it doesn't get oily and stinky, I don't shave to the skin but I do take shears to the head, and I only have to do this every couple of weeks and we can pass the shears around to save money. Hum, that's about all I can think of now!

    I imagine in the Buddha's time it was pretty much the same, except of course there was a much greater chance of spreading lice or fleas, etc.

    I suppose there's always a practical reason to shave ones head.:)

    There are many sources that suggest that monks shave their heads for reasons other than hygiene, but perhaps it depends on circumstances?
  • BrotherBobBrotherBob
    edited February 2010
    Oh, Yes! I just remembered!! a bit of hair is shaved from the head as part of the ordination liturgy, during this ceremony/celebration, it is a symbolic renunciation of attachment and 'going-forth' from householder life into homelessness.

    Old-timers disease, I'd completely forgotten about that! :o
  • questionfulquestionful
    edited February 2010
    I have always thought it was to facilitate humility. I heard that Buddha had long, beautiful hair. Cutting it off was a resolve to renounce the desires associated with lust.
  • Quiet_witnessQuiet_witness Veteran
    edited February 2010
    questionful wrote: »
    I have always thought it was to facilitate humility. I heard that Buddha had long, beautiful hair. Cutting it off was a resolve to renounce the desires associated with lust.

    I had read the same thing. I would guess brotherbob's reasons are true as well.
  • nibbutinibbuti
    edited February 2010
    Saves shamepoo! bfhv9k_th.gif
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