Buddhist teachings tell that all intentional killing is negative karma. So, what about bacteria? Are bacteria considered to be sentient beings? Is using antibiotics negative karma?
Is it possible to reborn as a bacterium?
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1Bacteria are not understood to be sentient (Wikipedia: Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive, or to experience subjectivity), so probably not. However, perhaps the intention of killing could have negative karmic effects. As opposed to cure an organism (i.e. human) or clean something to avoid contagion.– FullPeace.orgJun 25, 2014 at 7:16
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@yuttadhammo has replied to the same question at ask.sirimangalo.org/1560/bacterial-rebirth-and-karma - see Q4.– FullPeace.orgJun 25, 2014 at 8:01
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Not a complete duplicate, but related to killing buddhism.stackexchange.com/questions/87/…– Andriy Volkov ♦Jun 25, 2014 at 13:48
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1 Answer
As I pointed out in my answer to "are earthworms our mothers?" these kind of questions often assume incorrect frame of reference, different from the one Buddhism operates in. The point of teachings is to produce a certain state of mind, that will affect your behavior in certain way, that will eventually lead to better results, up to and including Enlightenment for you and the rest of the sentient beings.
The Five Precepts (no killing, stealing, speaking nonfactually, letting sensual pleasure control you, getting intoxicated) are an entry-level practice that is designed to help practitioner master basic discipline of self-reflection and self-control. Abstaining from killing, stealing etc. implies basic ability to watch one's mind for harmful thoughts and emotions, and to prevent them from getting acted out.
In light of the above, the no-killing rule should not be understood literally, as an absolute law, but as a guideline for training the mind. It is not acceptable to hurt or harm any creature (big or small) out of antipathy, obsessive desire, or ignorance. This is what Five Precepts are mostly about, countering the Three Poisons.
For reference, the Three Poisons are three basic moods afflicting the mind, impairing one's judgement and goal-making abilities:
- Anger/Hate/Irritation/Aversion/Antipathy/Negativity
- Lust/Desire/Attraction/Obsession
- Ignorance/Confusion/Sloth/Torpor
answered Jun 25, 2014 at 14:02
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Most people use antibiotics out of desire to cure illness, or out of aversion towards the illness, so your answer seems to imply that using antibiotics to cure illness does produce bad kamma. Do I understand it correctly?– michauNov 1, 2015 at 11:27
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Is it because the aversion is towards the illness, and not towards bacteria? Or for some other reason? I think the answer is a bit unclear.– michauNov 1, 2015 at 13:03