Thread: Buddhist head shaving.

I have been wanting to start this thread for a while. Although I am primarily interested in seeing what some of our other members know about this topic, some of you may find this information interesting. I’m a scholar of Buddhist history and I thought I would share a little information on Buddhist head shaving for those who are interested. As with most things related to Buddhism, the following statements apply to MOST ordained Buddhists, but not all of them.

Do monastics have to shave their heads? According to the traditional Buddhist Vinaya (the written rules of conduct said to date to the time of the Buddha to which Buddhist monks and nuns are expected to adhere), monastics are supposed to shave their heads either once every two months, or whenever their hair gets to be longer than two fingers’ length. In practice, Buddhist monastics in most countries shave more often.

What do they use? Again, the Vinaya stipulates the eight possessions that monastics are allowed to own. In East Asia, this rule was rarely adhered to literally, but in South and Southeast Asia they still take this rule very seriously. These eight items are: one each of three types of robes, a waistband, an alms bowl, a sewing needle and thread, a water filter, and a razor. Modern commentaries say this last item allows monks to use safety razors, or to keep the necessary items related to keeping a straight razor, meaning a whetstone, razor case, and a strop). For example, see: Buddhist Monastic Code II: Chapter 1

From what I’ve seen, it looks like a lot of monastics today shave with DE or other disposable razors. I recall seeing some really cool old Buddhist razors at the main museum in Bangkok that where similar in many ways to the straights we use now. Many Thai monks today use DE razors. Here’s an example:Hair-Shaving Ceremony - Thailand Life

Of the monks I knew in Korea, most used Mach 3 or other multi-blade razors. This of course doesn’t mean that others still don’t use some serious blades. Check out these pictures of a traditional-style Korean ordination, in which the woman's hair is shaved with a blade the size of a meat cleaver. Granted, these pictures were from a movie, but I don’t doubt that some hardcore monks and nuns still shave with this kind of implement.
Aje Aje Bara Aje <themakeuproom>

I’ve seen a few examples of monks and nuns who shave their heads with straight razors. Does anyone have any experiences seeing or learning about the ways that Buddhist monks and nuns shave today? I know there are members here from all over the world and I am really curious to read about what you have heard and seen.

Thanks,
Erik H.

Hi Erik.
All I can say is I am interested in it as well. When puzzling over Japan style razors it occured to me that it might be possible to gather some info at the Buddhist center in oklahoma city.

I never made it; however I have found other reasons to go, only I have not been there yet. Just yesterday I was thinking of it again. I want to go see what things they offer so perhaps I will have some information soon.

Isn't it interesting the razor being included among their personal effects?

This is a great topic. When my brother in-law entered the monk hood he had his head shaved by a local respected man using a shavet. I'll try to get some photos of this.

I also have a friend who is a monk in Bangkok. Next time I see him I will ask what he used and how often he shaves.

It would seem to me that using a straight would fit in well with buddhist priciples. Throwing away lots of useless plastic does a lot of harm to the environment. Where as the waste from straight razor shaving is just a little soap down the drain.

My sensei recently went through the official ordination process (shukke tokudo) to become a Zen priest. One of his mentors from the school in New Mexico where he got his start in the pursuit of Zen performed the ceremony. My sensei had mentioned to her that I use a straight razor, and she wanted more information since she still uses a straight to shave her teacher's head.

kevint -- if you're in OKC you might take a look at Windsong Dojo -- we have a zendo in the back part of the building called Windsong Innerspace. Several different zen groups meet during the week.

Originally Posted by ndw76

It would seem to me that using a straight would fit in well with buddhist priciples. Throwing away lots of useless plastic does a lot of harm to the environment. Where as the waste from straight razor shaving is just a little soap down the drain.

I totally agree. One thing I am not sure about, though, is what Buddhist monastics would use for a strop. In Chinese and Southeast Asian Buddhisms, they take the prohibition against using any animal products VERY seriously. Of course, this includes leather. Perhaps they just had the local barber's hone their razors?

-Erik

Here are some more visuals:

Actual picture of a Korean nun getting ordained, again, all I can say is what a blade!
http://ask.nate.com/qna/view.html?n=4068259
(This picture is from Search For Nirvana: Korean Monk's Life, 1985)

And here's a modern Korean monk shaving his hair with a disposable blade:우리세ìƒ� - ì‚*ë°œ

Finally, in looking for images of Japanese monks shaving, I found this ad for a blade that is used during ordination: ¡Ú³ÚÅ·»Ô¾ì¡Û¤ªÄæÅá¡Ê¤«¤ß¤ ½¤ê¡Ë¡Ê¹âµéÉÊ¡Ë¡Ú¹âµéÀµ¸¨ ˼ÉÕ¤*¡ÛÀìÃ�Ѥζâë¦À½ÂÞ¡§Ê ©ÃƒÃ…¡¡Ê©¶ñ¡¡¿ô¼î¡¡¶Ë³ÚƲ

-Erik

Originally Posted by ehammers

Here are some more visuals:

Actual picture of a Korean nun getting ordained, again, all I can say is what a blade!
http://ask.nate.com/qna/view.html?n=4068259
(This picture is from Search For Nirvana: Korean Monk's Life, 1985)

And here's a modern Korean monk shaving his hair with a disposable blade:우리세ìƒ� - ì‚*ë°œ

Finally, in looking for images of Japanese monks shaving, I found this ad for a blade that is used during ordination: ¡Ú³ÚÅ·»Ô¾ì¡Û¤ªÄæÅá¡Ê¤«¤ß¤ ½¤ê¡Ë¡Ê¹âµéÉÊ¡Ë¡Ú¹âµéÀµ¸¨ ˼ÉÕ¤*¡ÛÀìÃ�Ѥζâë¦À½ÂÞ¡§Ê ©ÃƒÃ…¡¡Ê©¶ñ¡¡¿ô¼î¡¡¶Ë³ÚƲ

-Erik

That last one is an interesting blade to say the least!

It's probably similar to a chisel to sharpen. Holding and using it would be a challenge to me.

-Rob

One characteristic of Buddhism is that it has drawn heavily from each country in which it has flourished. From India to China to Korea to Japan - and now to the West - Buddhism has adapted at each step of the way. I suspect that modern-day use of the meat-cleavers may be mostly a local/cultural thing. In my experience, the great tendency among ordained people from different traditions and temples here in the US is to use some kind of mach/turbo/fusion thing.

How you do it: not so important, I think. Whether you do it: also probably not so important.

It's about cutting off more than hair...

Cheers.

My Wife's uncle is a monk as well as a barber and he uses a disposable, but his father, who was a priest at his own temple, did use a Kamisori... which has been, unfortunately, lost.

In some of the histories I've read, they said that razors were introduced to Japan from Korea specifically for use as Buddhist tonsorial tools, and later expanded to use by the Samurai.

That blade you linked there, ¡Ú³ÚÅ·»Ô¾ì¡Û¤ªÄæÅá¡Ê¤«¤ß¤ ½¤ê¡Ë¡Ê¹âµéÉÊ¡Ë¡Ú¹âµéÀµ¸¨ ˼Éդ¡ÛÀìÃ�Ѥζâë¦À½ÂÞ¡§Ê ©ÃÅ¡¡Ê©¶ñ¡¡¿ô¼î¡¡¶Ë³ÚƲ, is not a real razor. It's a decorative replica of one of those original tonsorial razors, but is not sharpenable.

Originally Posted by JimR

My Wife's uncle is a monk as well as a barber and he uses a disposable, but his father, who was a priest at his own temple, did use a Kamisori... which has been, unfortunately, lost.

That's a real shame.

I talked to a good friend of mine the other day. He was ordained at a temple near Tokyo and he said that all the monks and nuns there used "high end disposable razors." Is there such a thing?

Originally Posted by JimR

That blade you linked there, ¡Ú³ÚÅ·»Ô¾ì¡Û¤ªÄæÅá¡Ê¤«¤ß¤ ½¤ê¡Ë¡Ê¹âµéÉÊ¡Ë¡Ú¹âµéÀµ¸¨ ˼ÉÕ¤*¡ÛÀìÃ�Ѥζâë¦À½ÂÞ¡§Ê ©ÃƒÃ…¡¡Ê©¶ñ¡¡¿ô¼î¡¡¶Ë³ÚƲ, is not a real razor. It's a decorative replica of one of those original tonsorial razors, but is not sharpenable.

Bummer, it's still one great visual. Thanks for letting me know.

The idea that razors came first from Korea to Japan is interesting, but makes sense that this was also the route that Buddhism itself took to get there. It would also likely mean that before that they were making them in China earlier.