Is there any significance to shaving the head?
score:12
First of all, lay Buddhists are not required to shave their heads, only the monks and nuns.
In most Buddhist traditions it is a custom/rule that when you become a monk or nun (a.k.a. Bhikkhu) you have to shave your head. There are also monastic rules that say that a Bhikkhu is not allowed to grow hair beyond a certain length or time.
The hair of the head should not be worn long. It should be shaved at least every two months or when the hair has grown to a length of two fingerbreadths — whichever occurs first, says the Commentary.
The beard should not be grown long, although — unlike the hair of the head — there is no explicit maximum length, unless the two month/two fingerbreadth rule is meant to apply here as well.
(source: page 14 and 15 of the Buddhist Monastic Code II)
Several reasons have been given as to why these rules exist:
One of the first things Gautama Siddhartha (who became the Buddha) supposedly did when he left his palace and started looking for a way to defeat old age, sickness and death, was to shave off his hair and beard. Bhikkus show their commitment by doing the same.
-
Shaving our head symbolizes cutting off confusion, hostility, and attachment (source)
Shaving your hair removes the risk of vanity and allows you to focus on more important things than combing and fixing your hair every day.
Hygienic reasons
By looking less attractive, celibacy (another monastic rule) becomes easier (at least that's what this author claims, I'm not sure about the validity of this myself).
Upvote:-1
Great answer related to shaved heads, long hair, beards, etc:
Upvote:0
Another reason is the connection to the Divine. Hair stop energy moving, and in meditation practices they need to connect the Sahasrara as best as possible with the Divine, thus shaving the head allows for better "connection". There are also specific rituals and procedures for that part of the body that take place after death, but that's another story.
Upvote:3
(I can't comment on this "...it is interesting to note that once you become enlightened you don't worry about such small things. Although Siddhartha cut his hair, Buddha kept long hair himself. – TheDarkKnightRules Nov 15 '14 at 9:48..." because of some silly rules of this website. But I would like to clear up a point that 'Buddha kept long hair himself.')
In vasala sutta (story heard) in the Tipitaka, a brahman said this to the Buddha "“tatreva, muṇḍaka; tatreva, samaṇaka; tatreva, vasalaka tiṭṭhāhī”ti. (Stop right there shaven-head, stop right there monk, stop...) The Pali word "muṇḍaka" means "a shaveling; shaven-headed".
There we have it. The Buddha had his head shaven too. No exception for Himself!
Upvote:4
One reason with hair is you can use it for beautification like having a hair style. Monks are not allowed to use mirrors or look at once face unless it is for medical reasons or contemplating of aging and impermanence.
Long hair was the style many people had during Buddha's time some this prevents any styling and beautification.
Upvote:4
It is an act of renunciation of the beauty or attractiveness of the human body or human appearance (Four Foundations of Mindfulness). Once a person sees and understands the suffering caused by societies obsession towards outer perfection (whatever that is) then shaving ones head is not a big deal!! The act of shaving ones head is very profound and liberating. It's a statement made by the individual. that they no longer wish to be part of such worldly ignorance!! Metta.
Upvote:6
I believe they shave their heads because they don't want to have attachments to the body or self image. They also don't use cosmetics, perfumes and so on... This is a very old practice, including the robes they wear, since the time of the Buddha
Lay people don't have to do it, only monks.
More post
- 📝 Sentience, killing, & extremes?
- 📝 The first rule of 8 Garudhammas
- 📝 Looking for a letter exchange between Zen Teacher and (female?) student
- 📝 What is the basis?
- 📝 How to identify a non-returner?
- 📝 What does "heard" mean in "I allow fish and meat that is pure in three respects: One has not seen, heard, or suspected..."
- 📝 Why Buddha rejected Upanishad and Veda?
- 📝 Does reality fight back when you want to meditate?
- 📝 Should a Buddhist lay-practitioner schedule his/her daily life
- 📝 How can I smile when existence itself is dukkha?
- 📝 Do thoughts 'create' vedana?
- 📝 Why monks have to take alms for their food?
- 📝 Did the Buddha tell how to visit another part of universe via meditation?
- 📝 Questions from 10 Days Mr. Goenka Vipassana Course?
- 📝 Does one usually "need" to earn a living, or does on usually "want" to earn a living?
- 📝 Why my Mind told me to Sleep?
- 📝 Nagarjuna and the Schools
- 📝 What are the requirements in order to happen a complete sin?
- 📝 What are the canonical definitions of common terms used in the context of satipaṭṭhāna from the Tripitaka or related literature
- 📝 What are Kusala roots?
- 📝 Where should the eye be oriented during Vipassana (Anapanasati)?
- 📝 Explain this Theravada Wheel of Life?
- 📝 What does "joy" mean in the phrase "dharma gate of great ease and joy"
- 📝 Can super Buddhists eat bread?
- 📝 Different Pali words for remorse or regret
- 📝 Lower realms rising?
- 📝 Is Meditation a cure or just fighting of symptoms?
- 📝 What is Buddhist doctrine about debt, debtlessness, duty?
- 📝 How does one Practice Sila?
- 📝 Is the Pali Canon the final authority in the Theravada tradition?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Is there any significance to shaving the head?
- 📝 Are there any alternative formulations of the five skandas?
- 📝 Is there any mention of child adoption in any Buddhist writings and what is the view on child adoption with regard to Buddhism?
- 📝 Are there any references in the Pali canon to the experience of death?
- 📝 can any one please explain me the significance of Talipot fan in Buddhism?
- 📝 Is there any truth in the legend about the birth of Siddhartha?
- 📝 Are there any descriptions of the deathless/unborn in any tradition of Buddhism?
- 📝 Did the Buddha state that there is only one way, and state/imply that any other path (such as those practiced by yogis) was futile?
- 📝 What is known about enlightenment before the lifetime of the Buddha? Are there any claims that he was the first?
- 📝 Is there any freely available English translation of the Peṭakopadesa?
- 📝 Is there any canonical descriptions of the physical characteristics of the Buddha?
- 📝 Is there any AI that teach the Dhamma?
- 📝 Are there any recollections of past lives in the more grievous realms?
- 📝 Is there any meditation technique to develop the feeling of Gratitude?
- 📝 Are there any english translation of the Shobogenzo of Master Dogen?
- 📝 Are there any body who achieved Nibbana currently (in the current world)
- 📝 Are there any exceptions to the first precept?
- 📝 Is there any kind of stress and suffering the Buddhas medicine would not help?
- 📝 Are there any translations available from the Gandharan Buddhist Texts? When will they be available?
- 📝 Are there any attempts to prove the eternal blissful etc. self?
- 📝 Are there any Buddhist suttas in the scriptures about retaining memory?
- 📝 Are there any instructions on the pose of hand during meditation?
- 📝 Is there any consolation to have arrived at the Buddha dharma?
- 📝 Is there any way to decipher sensations in the body during Vipassana?
- 📝 Is there any reason of restlessness in the afternoon?
- 📝 Is there any benefit to, as far as is humanly possible, total dedication to the precepts, in zen?
- 📝 Is there any authentic Chan Buddhist lineage operating in the West/Europe?
- 📝 Are there any stories dealing with stalkers or people who violate boundaries in seeking to grow close in the texts?
- 📝 Is there any advice in the Buddhist scriptures that would help a leader balance a safe economy with people's concerns about sickness & death?
- 📝 Are there any sutta references to the way S.N. Goenkaji teaches Vipassana?