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The disadvantages of taking the
life of any living creature
Hello Little Rene',
I had a chance to talk to my friend's son and he was really wonder that why Buddhism teach
not to kill the mosquitoes.
So he asked me...
"Buddhism teaches people not to kill mosquitoes even though
they are so irritationg. I don't understand."
"As the matter of fact, Buddhism teaches us to refrain from
taking the life of any living creatures...
...It is not only mosquitoes we musn't kill but all other living creatures."
"Why is that?"
"Well, if someone annoys you, will you kill them?"
"No. I won't. I don't want to be thrown in prison."
"How about if there was a law to pretect mosquitoes, would you
still kill them?...
....Well, that's only speculation. Let's put
it this way...
...According to Buddhism, there are at
least two (disadvantages from killing mosquitoes or other creatures."
"What are they?"
"Before killing a mosquito, you have to let your mind form enough hatred towards the
mosquito so much to be able to kill it...
...Despite your relief after killing the living creature, your mind is still overwhelmed
with a certain amount of hatred...
...And the more you kill, the more hatred must be formed in your mind..
...Now do you realize that as soon as you harm other living creatures, you harm yourself
as well?"
"Hm...it's difficult to understand but I see what you
mean. What about the second disadvantage?"
"It's vengefulness. Generally, those that have been harmed try to avenge themselves
for their suffering."
"How can small insect like mosquitoes avenge
themselves?"
"Please keep in mind that every living creature has it's own mind no matter how
small...
...As soon as it's life comes to an end, the mind vacates the dead body to be reborn
again...
...This is why the cycle of existences is endless...
...You can realize the second disadvantage if you accept that both big and small living
creatures love their life."
"But the mosquitoes harm me. Don't I have even the right
to protect myself?"
"Yes, you have. By brushing it away not slapping it because it doesn't mean to annoy
you...
...It just begs you for a drop of blood to live a life. Can't you spare it even a little
kindness?"
"It may be the vector of contagious of disease."
"If so, brush it away, don't kill it. I think, however, the first disadvantage is
more important that the second one. This is
because Buddhism teaches that...
...To be purified from all evil passion is the extinction of sufferings"
Have you stopped slapping mosquitoes or killing the little ants yet, Rene'? Talk to you
later...Bye. :)
With love,
Zasha
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