[xyupi]

Today I discovered this story at the BBC:
Wife-killing Yorkie advert man walks free from court

[HonestSean]

Here's a similar story:

Mother bear kills cub and then itself

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+N...05-292947.html

From the article:

"The witness also claimed that a mother bear broke out its cage when it heard its cub howl in fear before a worker punctured its stomach to milk the bile.

The workers ran away in fear when they saw the mother bear rushing to its cub's side.

Unable to free the cub from its restraints, the mother hugged the cub and eventually strangled it.

It then dropped the cub and ran head-first into a wall, killing itself."

[tadacia]

Hello Hajurba.
Duration, intensity of suffering, age, prognosis, are words that come to mind.
There is also the question of long and short term intent.
My position relevant to extreme and uncontrollable suffering,particularly in the aged, is euthanasia.
In saying this I realize the issue, in its entirety, is extremely complex.
Jack Kevorkian, saw euthanasia as a valid option for depressed young people; there are definite dangers.

[Les Allen]

The act of taking the life of another human, whether it be in the name of self-defense, war, pity, or anger, is quite psychologically damaging. One need only see the lives lead by returning soldiers as evidence of this. Many veterans never return to a state of 'normalcy'. Due to the psychological damage that murdering causes within the murderer, engaging in a mercy killing for a loved one is truly an act of utter sacrifice. The loved one's pain is over after the death. However, the person courageous enough to mercy kill will live and struggle with accepting their act, presumably forever. Mercy killing is 1 of the most loving things you could do for someone in terminal pain, especially considering the mental anguish and legal repercussions of agreeing to such an act.

[lizadax]

Just sharing . Not in my current awareness , not in my current level of " myself" as I am still full of pollutant . If someone hurts my family I think I will tear his face ...... but in Buddhism that I current aware , that I must love the killer same and equal as my loved one . The killer even though kill my loved one , he is actually never connected to anyone as his actions is part of his own learning process .

In Buddhism that I currently understand ,the killer still " not aware", still in very " low awareness" or i can regard him " just a baby" that does not understand purity in him . So one day after he advance to greater awareness , he will regrets of his action and he will suffer of all his actions . All his past , present or future action or intention will be part of his own learning process and not connected to anyone .

So in Buddhism , I can not blame the killer but if to share NOT to teach Buddhism with him.

Is always up to him to be awake .

Thks
CSEe

[Bigroza]

The precepts are a guide to living wisely but they are not meant as dogmatic instructions. I would do whatever I thought as being for the greater good or least harm.

[Zaxsdcxs]

He was trying to reduce his wifes suffering which in some cases are I guess you would say ok but not ok at the same time. He did it out of love and kindness for her not out of malice. But nonetheless he still killed and took a life and that is still a misdeed but I don't think that the kramic punishment for it would be as bad as if he killed her out of hatred and ill will. It all depends on the situation, although I don't think he should have killed her though but I wouldn't vilify him for it. It's so sad though and kind of sweet because he was so devoted for her. To bad he didn't know the Compassionate Heart Mantra of Quan Yins. If he knew about that and recited it in hopes to relieve her of her suffering she would have gone to a better place and not reincarnate. And because he loved her so much, if he recited it sincerely it would have even cured her. http://www.fodian.net/world/dabei_sutra.htm

[peemovvie]

EagerStudent

Quote from your message #7 ", if he recited it sincerely it would have even cured her "

Really?

I have to admit, once again, my lack of academic knowledge of Buddhism but is curing someones illness by reciting (praying??) a mantra is something that is an accepted practice in Buddhism. I have never come across it in my practice of Theravada in more than thirty years. This is something that is accepted within Christianity but within Buddhism?

Not sure.

Peace

Gerry

[idobestbuyonlinepp]

but within Buddhism? Hi Gerry,

Agree.

But... seems that there are traditions called Buddhists that actually believe in that.

It is a fact. And I have seen that this happens around the huge melting pot of Buddhist traditions.

Religious believes evolve taking and throwing those believes so to accommodate to the need of people, to bring comfort, not -exactly- the quenching of craving and clinging.

The word Buddha means "that one how has awaken" and if a given culture believes in some kind of holy being that awoke and gave a teaching, -mostly in dreams or in mental trance-, then, for them, that becomes "Buddhism" or the "way of doing to be awaken" whatever to be awaken is for them.

[Chooriwrocaey]

EagerStudent

Quote from your message #7 .... " if he recited it sincerely it would have even cured her "

Really?

I have to admit, once again, my lack of academic knowledge of Buddhism but is curing someones illness by reciting (praying??) a mantra is something that is an accepted practice in Buddhism. I have never come across it in my practice of Theravada in more than thirty years. This is something that is accepted within Christianity but within Buddhism?
Not sure.

Peace

Gerry

Hi Gerry,

These are popular beliefs in Mahayana Buddhism....and we are a mixed tradition site.

[derty]

Hi Gerry,

Agree.

Seems that there are traditions called Buddhists that actually believe in that.

It is a fact. And I have seen that this happens around the huge melting pot of Buddhist traditions.

Religious believes evolve taking and throwing those believes so to accommodate to the need of people, to bring comfort, not -exactly- the quenching craving and clinging.

The word Buddha means "that one how has awaken" and if a given culture believes in some kind of holy being that awoke and gave a teaching, -mostly in dreams or in mental trance-, then, for them, that becomes "Buddhism" or the "way of doing to be awaken" whatever to be awaken is for them.

That is an interesting interpretation Kaarine.

[arriplify]

That is an interesting interpretation Kaarine.

Thanks Andy,

Since most of this things are beyond my understanding I have to recall the tools of Cultural Anthorpoloy so to cope with this.

[Rqqneujr]

Yes, having done some beginning studies in anthropology myself ( Durkheim and suicide comes to mind ) I see your valuable experience.

[Injurnerona]

Aloka-D

Re your message #10.

As I have practised Theravada Buddhism only, I find some practices and traditions so aliento me especially when some of the practices remind me of the abrahamic religions I walked away from.

I think I shall do what I have always done and stay with one practice.

Peace

Gerry

[Blacksheepaalredy]

Aloka-D

Re your message #10.

As I have practised Theravada Buddhism only, I find some practices and traditions so aliento me especially when some of the practices remind me of the abrahamic religions I walked away from.

I think I shall do what I have always done and stay with one practice.

Peace

Gerry

I agree that you should do that if you find it helpful , Gerry .

[Aagotiq]

Nothing wrong with having an interest in other practices - ones we do not know, though, often seem strange ... I find tolerance and understanding are often intertwined and aid each other.

[Jon Woodgate]

Nothing wrong with having an interest in other practices - ones we do not know, though, often seem strange.....

Indeed. However at this point in time. personally I need to focus on not neglecting my own practice rather than getting side-tracked by what practices others are doing.

This is all getting way off the original topic, time to return to it now, thanks.

[Buyingtime]

I wanted a Thai Buddhist, Theravada answer to this question and found this site titled

" Letting-Go or Killing: Thai Buddhist Perspectives on Euthenasia "

The web site address is " www.eubios.info/EJ82/ej82c.htm "

I recognise a lot of the arguments for and against but I am still unsure as to what I should do if I have to make a decision and what instruction do I leave my family and doctors as I progress towards the end of my own life.

I have found the article helpful and hope that others do also and await comments.

Peace

Gerry

[gundorana]

Yes Gerry, you have not heard of it before but I believe in it and you may think that I'm probably crazy because I practice Mahayana Buddhism but I experienced two events in my life that made me really believe in this mantra but I refrain from telling it because I don't want to get kicked off for disturbing other people and causing a ruckus here and so that people don't think I'm a crazy fanatic(if I do become one though my sister said she would slap some sense back into me lol) so I'll just quietly observe and learn what I can about other various Buddhist tradidtions. I apologize if I have ever offended anyone, I really do sincerely want to learn more though.

Namo Amitabha Buddha

[hiedeemom]

Don't worry Eager, I don't think you have offended anyone here and you are very welcome!

.