Plucked eyebrows

[pilgrim]

I understand that Thai monks shave their eyebrows, but what is the position of the Vinaya on bhikkhunis (nuns) who pluck their eyebrows for cosmetic purposes? Is it a specific technical violation?

[daverupa]

"The Buddha asked his monks to keep their heads and faces shaved and nuns to keep their heads shaved, probably for hygienic reasons and to lessen vanity (Vin.II,207). Nuns were expected to shave their under-arm and pubic hair which was a sign of respectability in women (Vin.III,260). Monks were also asked to cut the hair in their noses if it got too long so as to avoid having a curious or unpleasant appearance(Vin.II,134)."

source

Eyebrows aren't specifically mentioned, but I think the nose-hair clause (!) would apply.

[Ytrog]

A related question that popped into my mind: How do monks keep water out of their eyes when it rains or when showering without eyebrows?

[cooran]

A related question that popped into my mind: How do monks keep water out of their eyes when it rains or when showering without eyebrows?

When raining: umbrella, broad-brimmed hat, or roof.

addit: When showering, simply wash the face and, when finished, keep the head out of the downstream of the shower.

with metta
Chris

[tiltbillings]

The eyebrow shaving goes back to some war Siam was having with Burma. The Thai monks were asked to shave their eyebrows so the could be distinguished from the Burmese monks. The specifics of tall of this I do not know, but it became the custom among the Thai Sangha.

[ancientbuddhism]

The eyebrow shaving goes back to some war Siam was having with Burma. The Thai monks were asked to shave their eyebrows so the could be distinguished from the Burmese monks. The specifics of tall of this I do not know, but it became the custom among the Thai Sangha.

Burmese spies and assassins were disguising as bhikkhus is what I was told.

[Disillusioned]

These last two posts are correct. There's nothing about eyebrow shaving in Vinaya. I think in some war with Burma the king of Thailand actually decreed that the Thai monks shave them

[mikenz66]

The eyebrow shaving goes back to some war Siam was having with Burma. The Thai monks were asked to shave their eyebrows so the could be distinguished from the Burmese monks. The specifics of tall of this I do not know, but it became the custom among the Thai Sangha.

Burmese spies and assassins were disguising as bhikkhus is what I was told.

That's my understanding.

And [minor spoiler alert], you can see an example of that in the movie Bang Rajan (which is kind of the Thai version of the Alamo, though a little earlier...).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284880/

If you are driving around in northern Ang Thong/southern Sing Buri you can drop into the memorial.


Mike