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43 votes
Accepted

If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms

The Mahayana perspective on social and ecological ethics is based on the high ideals of symbiosis, harmony, and cooperation. In the old times there were wandering monks who did not work and lived on ...
Andriy Volkov's user avatar
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13 votes

If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms

Where does one draw the line for which forms of life are ok to destroy, and which ones are not? That (i.e. "which forms of life?") might be not the right question. If you're describing the ...
ChrisW's user avatar
  • 45.2k
13 votes

Why did the Buddha suffer before he died?

Buddha did not experience suffering(mental). He experienced pain due to poor health during his final days. Enlightened beings do not create new Karmas. Also, they have removed the potential of all ...
Sankha Kulathantille's user avatar
12 votes

Did the Buddha really say that "life is suffering"?

The first noble truth is actually amazingly relatable for the most part, as in no reasonable person could find fault with it. Since it doesn't appear to have been mentioned, I will post a full literal ...
Blake Walsh's user avatar
12 votes

How can I forget my old girlfriend?

As my teacher explained, the reason we are needy and clingy is because we have not discovered how to be our own source of "energy". We are like babies depending on mothers' tits for nutrition, in this ...
Andriy Volkov's user avatar
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10 votes

What is the Buddhist perspective on child abuse?

The Pali scriptures (SN 12.17) state, from the perspective of ultimate truth, that the cause of suffering is 'ignorance' (rather than 'one-self' or 'another'). However, in the conventional scenario ...
Dhamma Dhatu's user avatar
  • 38.5k
10 votes

Why is there even a way to the end of suffering?

In MN64, the Buddha discusses the conundrum of identity and the presumed immaculate innocence of infants: MN64:3.3: For a little baby doesn’t even have a concept of ‘identity’, so how could identity ...
OyaMist's user avatar
  • 9,246
9 votes

How does one escape suffering when they cannot provide for those they love

The real answer is that one cannot - it is the caring that causes the suffering: Seek no intimacy with the beloved and also not with the unloved, for not to see the beloved and to see the unloved, ...
yuttadhammo's user avatar
9 votes

Buddhism and misanthropy

Buddhists meet all the same problems as other beings. If not these problems, there would be no need in Buddhism. So the question is: what do you have to do to solve them? If our view on the world ...
chang zhao's user avatar
  • 1,493
8 votes

If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms

Theravada Buddhist Answer. Whichever way you spin it, killing(intentionally) is bad Karma which you will have to pay for at some point in Samsara unless it becomes defunct. You can draw the line ...
Sankha Kulathantille's user avatar
8 votes

Did the Buddha really say that "life is suffering"?

Yuttadhammo wrote, I don't know of any example where the Buddha actually said "life is suffering". and, The first noble truth is simply "This is the truth of suffering." Nowhere ...
ChrisW's user avatar
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8 votes
Accepted

Did the Buddha ever weep in his days of Enlightenment?

A Buddha would never ever weep while in his days of Enlightenment. It is because of the quality Akampita. It means unshaken; calm; resolute; that which does not tremble; not to be shaken. The ...
Saptha Visuddhi's user avatar
8 votes
Accepted

Waves of Sadness

AN 10.61 says the food/nutriment (ahara) of the five hindrances (which include sadness & despair) are the three unwholesome types of action. It follows sadness & despair are actually results ...
Dhamma Dhatu's user avatar
  • 38.5k
7 votes

How can I remove my desire for a relationship/girlfriend?

What helped me tremendously distance myself is this: Contemplate the various advantages and disadvantages of having a girlfriend--particularly the one that you think you would get--not the dream-woman-...
Ahmed's user avatar
  • 5,131
7 votes

Buddhism and misanthropy

It's possible to be a Buddhist who is striving not to be overcome by misanthropic thoughts. Misanthropy is a product of aversion. Thinking to destroy human kind or wishing harm to even one person is ...
Sankha Kulathantille's user avatar
7 votes

How can Buddhism help me to get rid of a suffering due to a disease?

I don't know your situation and haven't suffered anything like it, so any advice I have may mean nothing to you, but I will say these things: Karma is the fruit of past action. Don't concern yourself ...
rob_mtl's user avatar
  • 796
7 votes
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Is there an antibuddha?

One to one comparison with Satan is not possible, but there's an angel called Mara who dislikes the existence of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. He tries to stop beings from attaining enlightenment.
Sankha Kulathantille's user avatar
7 votes

11 year old daughter suffocated, was dead and was resuscitated now in a state of reduced concsciousness

After my wife died I found that she existed in my mind quite a lot (as well as formerly existing physically). That existence (in my mind) could make me happy ("what a privilege to know her") or sad ("...
ChrisW's user avatar
  • 45.2k
7 votes

How can we end the suffering of all animals?

Are you sure a black hole will destroy everything? Do you understand the world enough to determine what is best for other beings? Why did the Buddha declare the cosmos to be one of the four ...
user19838's user avatar
  • 154
6 votes

Are practical solutions to everyday suffering that contradict Buddhism Upaya or avidya?

Unfortunately (because it doesn't answer your question), I'd guess it's better to find "practical solutions to everyday suffering" that don't contradict Buddhism. When my father died, there'...
ChrisW's user avatar
  • 45.2k
6 votes
Accepted

Are some forms of employment less just to workers, according to Buddhism?

In the book "The Buddha's Teachings on Prosperity" there was an interesting section on the Buddha's advice to employers on how to treat their employees. I will fill in with direct quotes a bit later. ...
Robin111's user avatar
  • 9,522
6 votes

If a buddhist should not kill a mouse living in their home, what justification do they have to rid themselves of a parasite such tapeworms

The original poster asks: "Where to draw the line..." Therein is the key to the answer: there is noplace you can draw the line, thin and bright, therefore you cannot draw it. There is, however, an ...
dwoz's user avatar
  • 171
6 votes

Did the Buddha really say that "life is suffering"?

In the first noble truth, the five clinging aggregates are defined as dukkha. Since all experiences are reduced to the five aggregates, I think the experience of all things (and not the things ...
Pisto's user avatar
  • 201
6 votes

Zen & Dukkha -- Is Everything Suffering?

Thich Nhat Hanh made an error because he was attempting to rationalize another error. If Thich Nhat Hanh actually understood the teachings, he would not state the teaching of 'samskara dukkhata' is ...
Dhamma Dhatu's user avatar
  • 38.5k
6 votes

Does Buddhism focus on suffering too much?

Does it means Buddhism will make the average follower to feel more suffering? No. Like every religion there are Buddhists that take the teachings of kamma too seriously or miscomprehend the 1st noble ...
Dhamma Dhatu's user avatar
  • 38.5k

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