In the Buddha culture…why shave hair on heads ?
Mar.15, 2008 in
Meditation questions
onelight asked:
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I’m spiritual, non-denominational. I’m gifting myself with the adventure of attending an overnight New Years retreat in the Bay Area ~ ~ We will be gathering with others at a Zen retreat and sharing meditation through the evening, at mid-night and awakening early for early morning meditation. I do meditate, yet not, as yet, to the deeper level that they do as at this Zen meditation center. We’re leaving to drive to the Bay Area this afternoon and looking forward to it.
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I’m spiritual, non-denominational. I’m gifting myself with the adventure of attending an overnight New Years retreat in the Bay Area ~ ~ We will be gathering with others at a Zen retreat and sharing meditation through the evening, at mid-night and awakening early for early morning meditation. I do meditate, yet not, as yet, to the deeper level that they do as at this Zen meditation center. We’re leaving to drive to the Bay Area this afternoon and looking forward to it.
My question is this . . . I attended a half day meditation there some weeks back and noticed that some, including women, had their hair shaved off.
Why do they do this.? I’m respecting of persons of all faiths and sometimes wonder why a person of a certain faith does something so, just wondering.
Do you know why persons in the Buddha faith shave the hair on their head off? Appreciate insight.
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March 19th, 2008 at 5:34 am
A co-worker of mine just shaved his head. His wife is a Buddhist and her mother died. He said it was traditional for one to shave their head after a family member dies. They’re form Cambodia. I’m sure there’s other occasions as well.
You’ll be in the right place to ask…& I’ve found that most people will explain thier customs to you happily.
* By the way whats the name of the retreat, sounds interesting. Happy New Year
March 21st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
It is to seperate them from the pleasures of the mundane world. Vanity is just one more thing to distract you from the truth.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
For the eightfold noble path what is those devotees honoring the dharma to counteract and understand the dharma to this condition 1in life there is by suffering 2suffering.
For the honouring of the human condition 1in life there is those devotees honoring the noble truths to rid yourself of self serving desire 3the way.
March 24th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I shaved my hair when I was a novice monk and also when my mother died.Basically,this is a symbolic act of non-attachment and annica(impermanent).Hope this help.