Why do Buddhist monastics shave their heads?
Photography by Phanaperson
Hair is a major focus of the human desire to beautify the body and project a particular image in the world. Monastics shave their heads as an expression of their aspiration to renounce personal vanity. Doing so server as a reminder to themselves and others that now they have left the world. The sight of a Buddhist monastic in brown robes and shaven head is a memorable one. People seeing them may became curious or intrigued, feel uplifted, be reminded of the need to be alert and awake. Thus Buddhist monastics propagate the Dhamma in a very gentle way, simply by being seen.
Monastics shave their heads either once a month (the day preceding the full moon) or twice (adding the day before the dark moon). In Thailand, monastics also shave their eyebrows.
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Source:
- Without and Within – Ajahn Jayasaro
Ryokan Says – Did the Buddha shave his head?
I always have found curious the fact that almost in every depiction of the Buddha he is presented with abundant hair, in contrast with disciples monks shaved heads. This style is part of the artistic tradition, a way to stand out the image of the Buddha with admirable and notable features, however, the ancient Buddhist texts don’t give any indication that the Buddha appearance were different from the other monks, and is clearly established that the Buddha did shaved his head like any other monk.
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There have been several scholars addressing to this subject, sometimes from the artistic point of view, some of the conclusions show particular Suttas has an evidence of the Buddha appearance, even though those aren’t a detailed description, it does provide some hints about some external features of the Buddha. The first reference is the Ambatta Sutta were the pupil of a famous brahman talk ill of the Buddha and in the process make reference of his shaved head; in the time of the Buddha a shaved head could be has a consequence of being outcaste from their caste, this is the reason why sometimes is used has a derogatory element. Later in this Sutta the famous bhaman ends being the Buddha disciple after realizing he is an enlightened being. As well in the Vasala Sutta there’s a reference of the Buddha shaved head.
At last there’s a reference that gives us a hint about Buddha appearance, is the Samannaphala Sutta, were the King Ajatasattu didn’t recognized the Buddha from a group of monks, and Jivaka, who accompanied him, used the position and direction of the Buddha the identify him within the group, this is an indication that the Buddha didn’t had any notable differences from other monks.
…On arrival, he asked Jivaka: “Where, friend Jivaka, is the Blessed One?”
“That is the Blessed One, great king, sitting against the middle pillar, facing east, surrounded by the community of monks.”… – Samannaphala Sutta
~Ryokan
