10
votes
Accepted
Killing a bigger animal causes more bad karma than killing a smaller animal?
My knowledge in Buddhism is quite poor. IMO it is a greater sin to kill a larger animal than to kill a smaller animal but this cannot be the case always! Let me ask you a question. Which is easier, to ...
- 952
9
votes
Accepted
"Lower rebirth" -- Are animals really "lower" than us?
So can I still be a Buddhist, with these beliefs?
Yes of course.
Maybe don't over-idealise animals though, e.g. a real dog might chase and kill grass-hoppers or mice or anything else unless you stop ...
- 46.3k
8
votes
Ajahn Brahm stated that he ate snakes and frogs during his training, does this mean that it is acceptable to kill animals?
Here's an extract from an article by Ajahn Brahm, What the Buddha Said About Eating Meat,
Towards the end of the Buddha's life, his cousin Devadatta attempted to usurp the leadership of the Order of ...
- 46.3k
7
votes
"Lower rebirth" -- Are animals really "lower" than us?
Personally I would rather come back as an animal than a human. They seem more peaceful, humans are constantly thinking and doing and stressing about things.
Be very careful what you wish for. You ...
- 9,707
6
votes
Do domesticated animals have control over their karma?
In the animal Kingdom the following dominates
sexual desire - root: craving / hindrance: sensual desire
fear - root: aversion / hindrance: ill will, doubt
hunger - craving / sensual desire
sleep (...
6
votes
Do domesticated animals have control over their karma?
Are domesticated animals able to generate their own karma
Yes, they commit Kamma just like humans. But their range is limited compared to us. They are unable to commit highly potent good/bad Kamma ...
- 25.7k
5
votes
I saw a cat killing a mouse. Could have stopped it, but didn't
"Chethanaham Bikkhawe Kammam Wadami" - volition is Karma
Did you not prevent it because mice are usually an annoyance and 1 less mouse makes your life better? If so, it's bad Karma. Later you may ...
- 25.7k
5
votes
Does the Buddha like dogs?
Mata yatha niyam puttam
Ayusa eka-putta-manu rakkhe
Evampi sabba-bhutesu
Manasam-bhavaye apari-manam
Quoted from Karaniya Metta Sutta Here it's meaning.
Even as a mother protects with her life ...
- 151
5
votes
If a snake is eating a human infant in front of me what should I do?
Just kill the snake and save the baby
Ok , this would be the reaction of a person who has no idea what Buddhism is . But , even if we know Buddhism to some extent, we would do the same . Because ...
- 558
5
votes
Accepted
Can we own a bird pet which will in a cage?
So may I know if it's allowed or not?
It's a Buddhist practice, in some countries, to buy caged birds (or sometimes other animals, like fish), in order to liberate them (i.e. to set them free, let ...
- 46.3k
4
votes
A pigeon settled on my balcony. What should I do?
I am new to this website, and have little training, but wish to be helpful. I have been in a position, several times, in my life, where I wished to help an animal, but didn't know what action would be ...
- 41
4
votes
Does the Buddha deny genetic differences?
That translation you quote is not very clear.
What it actually says is, animals are classified by their inborn characteristics, what modern science calls "phenotype". While humans are not classified ...
- 58.3k
3
votes
Does the Buddha like dogs?
You tagged this question buddha-nature -- I'm not sure if that tag is relevant.
There's a famous koan about a dog and "Buddha-nature" -- see Joshu's Dog -- which this question reminds me of.
Maybe we'...
- 46.3k
3
votes
I saw a cat killing a mouse. Could have stopped it, but didn't
IMO there's a similar concern with people: outside my house I see people raising farm animals, in order to kill them for food. What should I do about that? Try to chase the people away?
I think, ...
- 46.3k
3
votes
Ajahn Brahm stated that he ate snakes and frogs during his training, does this mean that it is acceptable to kill animals?
Killing for any reason is a serious offence for both monks and lay people.
Monks can't cure or cook food. They are allowed only to reheat already cooked food. They are not allowed to eat uncooked ...
- 25.7k
3
votes
Accepted
According to Buddhism, what separates humans from animals?
According to Buddhism there 31 planes of existance out of one which is the animal kingdom.
Your next birth is decided by the last thought moment where you remeber a recent or grave act of Karma which ...
3
votes
If a snake is eating a frog in front of me, what should I do?
Don't hit snake, but better we understand it's the nature. We cannot get snakes to eat non-veg. We can't change the nature of the world.
Animal world is described as one of 4 hells in Buddhism. Their ...
- 149
3
votes
If a snake is eating a frog in front of me, what should I do?
Snake charmers would know how to apply pressure at the neck or head to subdue them without causing injury.
But you can try hitting the ground next to the snake with a stick and try to scare it. If it ...
- 25.7k
3
votes
"Lower rebirth" -- Are animals really "lower" than us?
According to SN 56.36 (quoted below), the planes of misery (including the animal realm) are so great and vast. Only a human being who has right view and understands the Four Noble Truth would escape ...
- 37.4k
3
votes
Killer Neighbors
I empathize with you, having grown up around such people.
My advice would be to show this neighbor the same love and compassion you feel towards the rabbits and others. You may think of him as just ...
- 355
3
votes
Are mosquito nets "cheating"?
What is the purpose of meditation. Quoting from What is the meditation and what is its purpose?
Meditation is when the mind comes back home. When the mind comes back home it can sit by the fire and ...
- 133
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible