Came across a monk who sported a tattoo on his arm in a Facebook posting. Then, I remember someone saying that his religion forbids tattoos or any other forms of scarring of the body. Don't know for sure if Buddhism has any opinion on that; but having a tattoo doesn't tantamount to lying, stealing, killing, involving in illicit sexual activities or harmful intoxicants or things like that; which is akin to breaking the basic Buddhist precepts.Then, of course a monk having any tattoo at all would certainly make heads turn. In the 70s, there wasn't any tattoo shop to talk of locally since tattoo was a banned item then. People often associate tattoos with gangsterism and a neighbour who spotted an ugly butterfly on his wrist was believed to be a triad member. Tattoos, however could be rather attractive too; if you were to see them on the Rock or someone else; not necessary a star or someone famous. Just forget about the tattooed monk; it is his own private business with the divine and perhaps, he had it before giving up the mundane life. Just enjoy these pieces of art:
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