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How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 11:49 am
by Coyote
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

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 12:16 pm
by Ben
you don't need a razor to shave

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:04 pm
by James the Giant
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.

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:08 pm
by Mawkish1983
To paraphrase the great Sheldon Copper, "well groomed monks meet in pairs and shave each other, case closed."

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 1:23 pm
by Bhikkhu Pesala
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.

:rules: 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.

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:30 pm
by Coyote
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Ben wrote:you don't need a razor to shave
What do you mean here? Are you thinking of something specific?
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.

:rules: 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.
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!
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

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:04 pm
by Bhikkhu Pesala
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.

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:36 pm
by Coyote
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.
Bhante, yes, that was the one I was thinking of. Thank you.

Coyote

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:39 pm
by Ben
Coyote wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone.
Ben wrote:you don't need a razor to shave
What do you mean here? Are you thinking of something specific?
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?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:58 pm
by LonesomeYogurt
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,
Hahaha, that clears some of the confusion up :) For a second there, I thought Ben had figured out a novel new way to shave!

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 10:05 pm
by Ben
LonesomeYogurt wrote:
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,
Hahaha, that clears some of the confusion up :) For a second there, I thought Ben had figured out a novel new way to shave!
If I have an epiphany regarding a razorless-shave I'll definitely share it with you!

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 10:13 pm
by Mawkish1983
Lasers.

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 2:06 am
by plwk
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,
Hahaha, that clears some of the confusion up :) For a second there, I thought Ben had figured out a novel new way to shave!
If I have an epiphany regarding a razorless-shave I'll definitely share it with you!
Wax strips? :mrgreen:

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:00 am
by lojong1
the fire method is all over the suttas

Re: How do monks shave?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:24 am
by Virgo
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