Comments on: Should Buddhists Dye Their Hair?

By: NellaLou

NellaLou — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:58:31 +0000

Hello Chris. This well-practiced Buddhist does sometimes affect a stylish haircut and color. There are no rules about that for lay people in the Tripitaka. If you find such please let me know. Thanks.

By: Chris Warren

Chris Warren — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:01:09 +0000

*reflect* their social status^
not effect

By: Chris Warren

Chris Warren — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:59:40 +0000

Take a look at the well practiced buddhist’s hair cuts and you will notice that they are all the same and that their hair doesnt effect their ’social status’

By: Chris Warren

Chris Warren — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:55:02 +0000

some buddhist….you are going to change your hair for socila image ?????????? goes against everything, no question about it

By: NellaLou

NellaLou — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:50:12 +0000

hello anupam singh gautam-I do agree with your points about Hindu doctrine and Buddhist doctrine particularly with regard to theology. However saying that Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism is quite correct. The historical Buddha was born into a Hindu family and quite aware of the practices of that religion. Even after home leaving he studied with quite a number of Hindu teachers. However, and this is the important point he came to reject much of the Hindu doctrine in favor of the truth he discovered during his time alone seeking the truth.
He investigated the concepts that were presented to him from Hinduism thoroughly and rejected most and refashioned others.
The context and foundation that provided him with the means to discover the truth were all based in Hinduism. So historically that is what is meant by the roots of Buddhism.I have said numerous times in this blog that Buddha is not a god but a historical teacher.
Of course since his discovery Buddhism has become its own system and carried on in a manner quite different than the Hindu doctrine. The karmic doctrine, ritual requirements such as festivals and the very sense of what makes a “god” or human being are very different in Hinduism and Buddhism. I did not anywhere state that they are the same. Or that any doctrines are the same. I am quite aware of the differences.

By: anupam singh gautam

anupam singh gautam — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:11:22 +0000

u told that buddhism root lies in hinduism this is completely wrong .. in hinduism their are over 1 crore god (beside 3 main) and 6 months of festivals inbudhism we have just 2 that 2 budha told not to celebrate
in budhism hold that ther r no god but evry one is having a illusion as effect from his/her own personal karma (and this is not from hinduism as there u can skip all the bad effect of your karma just by taking a ‘holy’ dip in now polluted ganga river
in budhhism even god are not permanent and r subject to ther karma (remember these r not god whom u can worship to get ur sin ridded but these entity have illusion of being a god
in buddhism every one can become god and that the ultimate thing for evry one …good luck u !

By: NellaLou

NellaLou — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:14:45 +0000

jmcleod76 Thanks for your comment. It has sparked some reflection on what I refer to as our collective fictions which is how people live together by participating in an agreed upon set of rules standards, beliefs and other organizing factors which are actually changeable and evolving and differ from culture to culture. I think there’s a blog post in that. Thanks again.

By: jmcleod76

jmcleod76 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:29:49 +0000

Seems to me that, if we’re talking about householders, at least, styling one’s hair a certain way, wearing a certain type of clothes, and those sorts of things fulfill more than just egoistic functions. I have an office job and, right or wrong, my employer expects me to present myself in certain ways that announce to the world I am a “professional.” It’s an interesting trade-off. I make more money than I would at many manual labor jobs, but I’m expected to wear more expensive clothes. Meanwhile, I would be just as happy (happier) in jeans and a sweatshirt. It’s not really about what I want, it’s about social convention. And while this may seem like mindless conformity, it’s not really. I know I’m playing a game, but it’s a game I choose to engage in so I can earn my paycheck. If I didn’t like it, I could go work in a gas station, or shave my head and live in a monastery (believe me, I’ve thought about it). As long as the tradeoffs we make aren’t immoral ones, it’s all part of Right Livelihood, I suppose.

Sorry to be so long-winded. Just thinking while typing.