Why do monastics have incense marks on their heads?
The custom of burning incense marks is unique to Chinese Buddhism. It did not exist in early Buddhism and also has not been practiced in other countries. When Buddhism reached China , monastics were held in high regard by society and the nation. During the T’ang dynasty, the imperial court ordered that incense mark burning was to be incorporated in the precept ceremony in order to prevent people from impersonating Monastics and as an affirmation of their faith.
