If so, does that mean that as a Buddhist you must avoid taking antibiotics or anything that would intentionally target their distruction? ... I am NOT trying to be disrespectful here in any way shape or form - this is a genuine questions and I am looking for a genuine answer. So if you are not familiar with the subject, kindly spare us the "cute" responses.
P.S. I know that ground worms are considered sentient beings in Buddhism and it is hard for me to image that they would have much more mental/spiritual capacities than bacteria (which by the way, happen to constitute nearly 90% of all the cells found in our human bodies).
2006-07-27 18:36:43 · 9 answers · asked by lowonbrain 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you ALL for some truly thoughtful answers. It would certainly not be fair of me to just pick one at random - so you guys decide.
2006-07-29 16:43:30 · update #1
There is a pattern of thought that holds the entire universe and everything in it to be "sentient" so that is really not the point.
There is also a common misunderstanding that Buddhism places rules about not harming or not caring. Gautama Buddha even rejected the idea that vegetarianism should be enforced saying that you should eat whatever comes into your bowl, but that you should be aware of what it is and why it is there. In other words the "Ideal" is to become a sentient being yourself. Hope this helps.
2006-07-27 18:46:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being interested and slightly knowledgeable in Buddhism, I can tell you from experience that harming something you cannot control nor even notice is not considered to be "bad". No species in the entire universe could control the "lives" and "deaths" of millions of microbes. In fact, life and death is considered a cycle, and the death of bacteria and small life forms is required to sustain life in general. It is your intentions and how you carry out those intentions that matters.
Intentionally melting an ant with a magnifying glass would be a bad thing, while accidentally stepping on a spider and feeling remorse for your actions would be acceptable.
As far as being sentient, bacteria and virii are hardly living. If I remember correctly from biology, scientists debate whether or not bacteria and/or virii are actually alive in the first place.
2006-07-27 19:00:32 · answer #2 · answered by mreggrolls 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bacteria is not considered as a living being . Bacteria was not even been categorised yet during the time of the Buddha which were 2550 years ago just as in the Bible , we have not heard of the God created bacteria .
During those time , bacteria was not even in the dictionary . However , plauge do happens during the time of the Buddha which we knew today that it is caused by bacteria and viruses .
Bacteria is not considered as a living being because it do not have a mind of its own . It is more like a kind of substances or energy which have been there for a time longer than human existence . Even the scientist today , with the most modern technology can't find out the source of bacteria and they also can't prove that the bacteria have a mind of its own .
So Buddhist are allowed to take antibiotics for the well being of themselves which will help them in the cultivation of attaining Nibbana . The Buddha also did not preach to his diciples to let themselves vulnerable to the attack of bacteria and viruses because these bacteria are living beings .
But the Buddha have ask his diciples to take medicine when it is needed . I hope this answer will help you to understand more about this religion . : -)
2006-07-28 05:31:31 · answer #3 · answered by YoBro'' 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If more people understood the basic tenets of Buddhism, the world would be better off - It's simply a matter of respecting every creatures' right to exist.
Still, Buddhists believe that nothing is permanent, and so if the lifespan of a microbe is shortened by the healing of another creature, that is the way of things. Nothing lasts forever.
2006-07-27 18:55:49 · answer #4 · answered by joyfulpaints 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing is separated from you. You are bacterias which succeeded to gain conscience about their existence. You are water which is able to move where ever it likes. You are stones shaped as bones which make your body stable to walk.
On a every day level you have to make an arrangement with nature. Nature's part is to enable you to live for at most 100 years, your part is to respect nature and to gain an undisturbed view of nature.
If you loose your contact to nature and bacterias threaten your existence look for the point where you missed it.
Take antibiotics when really necessary and strive more for realizing your true nature.
2006-07-27 20:15:02 · answer #5 · answered by Werner 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not going to try to claim being an expert here, but I would have to say no. Bacteria and virii don't really have the choice on whether they infect or not. They are simply doing as they must to survive.
2006-07-27 18:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have heard diverse definitions of sentient, yet I agree all kinds of existence need to be dealt with with appreciate. Like with dogs and cats, if women human beings lack the psychological ability to make in charge, rational judgements, they obviously should not be allowed to vote, signal contracts, testify in courtroom, and so on.
2016-10-15 07:14:09 · answer #7 · answered by season 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhism says, "don't kill"; common sense says, "no killing at all is impossible". Thus, Buddhists meditate for insight into how to avoid killing whenever possible, the meaning of life, the meaning of death and everything inbetween. The result is (hopefully) no heedless or senseless taking of life.
2006-07-29 12:33:35 · answer #8 · answered by Drewe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
even if everything was a sentient being, God gave Man domain over all living creatures. so it dosen't matter about bugs and junk.
2006-07-27 18:40:45 · answer #9 · answered by ricky 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋