Hi,
I'm considering moving to Taiwan to teach English after graduation and I was wondering if there are any laws that forbid people from looking or appearing like a Buddhist Monk?
I'm asking because I am a devout Buddhist and as part of my practice I abstained from wearing all other clothing except for a cotton maroon, grandad shirt, cotton drawstring trousers and a large shawl measuring 9" by 6".
When I dress in the shawl, it can somewhat look like a robe and often many people mistake me for a Buddhist monk in public, although there are many signs that prominently tell that I'm not.
I do not have a shaved head and I retain some stubble, I also have two small stretched ears, whereas a true Buddhist monk would not have these qualities. So I believe a Taiwanese person or official could easily see I'm not a monk, but I wouldn't want them thinking that I'm trying to impersonate a monk for any sort of gain. I never have and never will tell people I am a monk unless I took the vows to do so.
I know that in Thailand, the impersonation rule exists. I follow the Buddhism of South-East Asia and Sri Lanka, so I wouldn't specifically look like a Taiwanese Monk in anyway, but I'd like to not get questioned by any Taiwanese officials or police on a weekly/daily basis about the way I'm perceived.
Any help with this will be deeply appreciated!
I'm considering moving to Taiwan to teach English after graduation and I was wondering if there are any laws that forbid people from looking or appearing like a Buddhist Monk?
I'm asking because I am a devout Buddhist and as part of my practice I abstained from wearing all other clothing except for a cotton maroon, grandad shirt, cotton drawstring trousers and a large shawl measuring 9" by 6".
When I dress in the shawl, it can somewhat look like a robe and often many people mistake me for a Buddhist monk in public, although there are many signs that prominently tell that I'm not.
I do not have a shaved head and I retain some stubble, I also have two small stretched ears, whereas a true Buddhist monk would not have these qualities. So I believe a Taiwanese person or official could easily see I'm not a monk, but I wouldn't want them thinking that I'm trying to impersonate a monk for any sort of gain. I never have and never will tell people I am a monk unless I took the vows to do so.
I know that in Thailand, the impersonation rule exists. I follow the Buddhism of South-East Asia and Sri Lanka, so I wouldn't specifically look like a Taiwanese Monk in anyway, but I'd like to not get questioned by any Taiwanese officials or police on a weekly/daily basis about the way I'm perceived.
Any help with this will be deeply appreciated!
