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 ...
- 57.2k
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 25.7k
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 ...
- 269
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 ...
- 57.2k
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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, ...
- 24k
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 25.7k
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 ...
- 45.2k
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 ...
- 9,585
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 ...
- 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-...
- 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 ...
- 25.7k
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 ...
- 796
7
votes
Accepted
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.
- 25.7k
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 ("...
- 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 ...
- 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'...
- 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. ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 38.5k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible