I am guessing they don't use electric razors, and I seem to remember they are not allowed to use mirrors. So how do they shave (head and face)? And how often? Is it required?
Thanks,
Coyote
How do monks shave?
How do monks shave?
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
Iti 26
Re: How do monks shave?
you don't need a razor to shave
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
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Re: How do monks shave?
One of the basic items of a monk's kit (the Requisites) is a razor. The monks I know have Schick or Gillette three-bladed normal manual shaving razors, and shave their heads once every two weeks.
That's in the western Thai Forest Tradition.
But I don't know about the mirror thing. I never thought of that.
That's in the western Thai Forest Tradition.
But I don't know about the mirror thing. I never thought of that.
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
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Re: How do monks shave?
To paraphrase the great Sheldon Copper, "well groomed monks meet in pairs and shave each other, case closed."
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Re: How do monks shave?
I don't need a mirror to shave — I know where my face is by now.
I do use an electric hair-clipper to shave the longer head hairs before using a safety razor. Some Vinaya experts will say that amounts to using scissors, but that misses the point. Its just a tool to make the job of shaving quicker and easier.
The scissors rule is about not grooming long hair to fashion it like barbers do for lay people.
In Burma, they still use open razors, and some monks shave their own heads with them too, but I prefer a standard safety razor.
I do use an electric hair-clipper to shave the longer head hairs before using a safety razor. Some Vinaya experts will say that amounts to using scissors, but that misses the point. Its just a tool to make the job of shaving quicker and easier.
The scissors rule is about not grooming long hair to fashion it like barbers do for lay people.
In Burma, they still use open razors, and some monks shave their own heads with them too, but I prefer a standard safety razor.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
Re: How do monks shave?
Thanks for the replies everyone.
It is interesting to read about the use of an electric hair-clipper. I remember reading in one of Ven. Thanissaro's books that the Vinaya rule would include such electric devices, so it is interesting to read your interpretation.
Coyote
What do you mean here? Are you thinking of something specific?Ben wrote:you don't need a razor to shave
Bhante, I only remark about the mirror because I know that I would make a right mess of my face if I tried to shave without one!Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:I don't need a mirror to shave — I know where my face is by now.
I do use an electric hair-clipper to shave the longer head hairs before using a safety razor. Some Vinaya experts will say that amounts to using scissors, but that misses the point. Its just a tool to make the job of shaving quicker and easier.
The scissors rule is about not grooming long hair to fashion it like barbers do for lay people.
In Burma, they still use open razors, and some monks shave their own heads with them too, but I prefer a standard safety razor.
It is interesting to read about the use of an electric hair-clipper. I remember reading in one of Ven. Thanissaro's books that the Vinaya rule would include such electric devices, so it is interesting to read your interpretation.
Coyote
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
Iti 26
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Re: How do monks shave?
Personal Grooming
Unless ill — e.g., he has a sore on his head — a bhikkhu may not use scissors to cut his hair or have it cut. The question of using electric razors to shave the head is a controversial one. Because their cutting action — even in rotary shavers — is like that of scissors, many Communities will not allow their use in shaving the head.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
Re: How do monks shave?
Bhante, yes, that was the one I was thinking of. Thank you.Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:Personal Grooming
Unless ill — e.g., he has a sore on his head — a bhikkhu may not use scissors to cut his hair or have it cut. The question of using electric razors to shave the head is a controversial one. Because their cutting action — even in rotary shavers — is like that of scissors, many Communities will not allow their use in shaving the head.
Coyote
"If beings knew, as I know, the results of giving & sharing, they would not eat without having given, nor would the stain of miserliness overcome their minds. Even if it were their last bite, their last mouthful, they would not eat without having shared."
Iti 26
Iti 26
Re: How do monks shave?
I beg your pardon, I meant 'you don't need a mirror to shave.Coyote wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone.
What do you mean here? Are you thinking of something specific?Ben wrote:you don't need a razor to shave
If I don't have a mirror, I can shave in the dark by touch with a disposable razor.
I was tired and it was late when I wrote my earlier response - I am sorry for the confusion.
kind regards,
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- LonesomeYogurt
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Re: How do monks shave?
Hahaha, that clears some of the confusion up For a second there, I thought Ben had figured out a novel new way to shave!Ben wrote:I beg your pardon, I meant 'you don't need a mirror to shave.
If I don't have a mirror, I can shave in the dark by touch with a disposable razor.
I was tired and it was late when I wrote my earlier response - I am sorry for the confusion.
kind regards,
Gain and loss, status and disgrace,
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.
Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.
His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta
Stuff I write about things.
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.
Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.
His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta
Stuff I write about things.
Re: How do monks shave?
If I have an epiphany regarding a razorless-shave I'll definitely share it with you!LonesomeYogurt wrote:Hahaha, that clears some of the confusion up For a second there, I thought Ben had figured out a novel new way to shave!Ben wrote:I beg your pardon, I meant 'you don't need a mirror to shave.
If I don't have a mirror, I can shave in the dark by touch with a disposable razor.
I was tired and it was late when I wrote my earlier response - I am sorry for the confusion.
kind regards,
“No lists of things to be done. The day providential to itself. The hour. There is no later. This is later. All things of grace and beauty such that one holds them to one's heart have a common provenance in pain. Their birth in grief and ashes.”
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
- Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.
- Sutta Nipata 3.725
Compassionate Hands Foundation (Buddhist aid in Myanmar) • Buddhist Global Relief • UNHCR
e: [email protected]..
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Re: How do monks shave?
Lasers.
Re: How do monks shave?
Wax strips?If I have an epiphany regarding a razorless-shave I'll definitely share it with you!Hahaha, that clears some of the confusion up For a second there, I thought Ben had figured out a novel new way to shave!I beg your pardon, I meant 'you don't need a mirror to shave.
If I don't have a mirror, I can shave in the dark by touch with a disposable razor.
I was tired and it was late when I wrote my earlier response - I am sorry for the confusion.
kind regards,
Re: How do monks shave?
the fire method is all over the suttas
Re: How do monks shave?
When I was a monk, we shaved each others heads. It is a lot easier that way.
To shave my face I just used a regular razor slowly and methodically. You can use touch to see if you have missed any spots.
Kevin
To shave my face I just used a regular razor slowly and methodically. You can use touch to see if you have missed any spots.
Kevin