about DRESSING


Q. I've heard of many people who said that when you are enlightened, you are supposed to shave your hair and wear no make-up. (Laughter) What do you think of this saying and comment.

M. What do you think, is that correct? (Audience: No) No, they say " No! " (Laughter & applause) I'll you one "A" for you. (Master and all laugh.) Beautiful, beautiful, I love that. It's very beautiful; you are very open, very enlightened; at least to some degree. If you still cling your attention to anything of this world, whether it's there or not there, you obstruct yourself, right? Your nature is without anything. No dust can cling to your nature, okay:, No makeup can cover your Buddha nature; no lipstick can blur away the light of heaven. If you have Eye, you'll see I am radiating light now. Even if I put the whole charcoal boxes on my face, make myself black, I am still very white and bright. So if you shave your head, then you are enlightened? Is that right? So why don't you do it? It's so easy. (Laughter) All of you do it. Steve, your hair is too long for the enlightenment. (Laughter & applause) God doesn't care whether your hair is long or short. Stupid. (Laughter) Otherwise all the beautiful Miss Universes can not get enlightenment, or what? (Master laughs.) And if we say that, all the barber shops, all the beauty salons will close. We create unemployment even more. (Laughter) Is that the life of an enlightened person? Oh, oh, if I preach like that, Mr. Clinton will not be happy. (Laughter) He will not give me permission to preach in America.

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Q. Often we get the impression that ancient saints and masters usually wear commoner's clothing, straw sandals and live a simple life. Almost every religion promotes the ideas of leading a poor and virtuous life, rejecting a prosperous bustling worldly life, and even encouraging an ascetic life.

M. That's because in ancient times, they did not have money. (Master laughs) They did not help many disciples to excel but often isolated themselves in the mountains and enjoyed their own practice. If I myself live in the mountains, I would not even bother to dress.