well Im learning about religions in my World History class and I asked my teacher " what if a Buddhist was being attacked by a bear, would he let the bear kill him or would he defend himself " he couldnt answer can you ??
2007-10-12 08:22:11 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Try this site about "A Buddhist perspective on animal rights" for some insight into that situation.
http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/veg/004-animal-right.htm
A 'true' Buddhist might well allow the bear to kill him, depending on how far down the path to enlightment he was.
2007-10-12 08:27:39 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is sort of impossible to live life without harming a single creature. The food we eat. It has to be grown. It has to be protected from insects and other pests. That means that some of these buggers have to be killed. Also, land was cleared to make way for these crops. Animals died for that. The land has to be tended and turned. This will result in animals being killed.
Now, the Buddhist philosophy is more of a do not bring intentional harm to a living creature. Yes, some creature will be harmed for the purposes of food (even if you are 100% vegetarian). However, a Buddhist will try to prevent as much of that harm as possible. Sometimes, it is not possible.
In the bear situation. I believe that a Buddhist will try to get away from the bear. The Buddhist will not be carrying any weapons that can hurt the bear. A human is pretty pathetic against a bear (something about us not having claws or thick fur and hide or sharp teeth or something like that). The only reasonable thing to do is get away from the bear. If that can't be done, then they tell the hikers to lay down on the ground and curl up in a fetal position and use your hands to try to protect your throat. That is what I bet the Buddhist would do if he could not get away.
2007-10-12 08:29:46 · answer #2 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually that is not part of Buddhism.
If you are in that class monday and the teachers describes buddhists as pacifists ask him about the Shaolin monastary, or the Zen Buddhism adopted by the Samurai classes of Japan. Maybe the fighting monks of Tibet, where different monastaries had battles and wars.
Vegetarianism is not really part of Buddhism either.
Some Buddhist schools promote vegetarianism and pacifism but it is not part of the Sutras.
2007-10-12 08:36:52 · answer #3 · answered by Y!A-FOOL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you read about the Buddist temple that was invaded by fire ants? The monks don't know what to do because they can't exterminate the ants. They have tried moving them, vacumming them and releasing them in the forest- doesn't work. The monks are called to respect the life of every living creature. However, I am not sure if this respect extends to the point where one must give up their own life instead of killing another animal. You would have to check out a relgion website or ask a real buddist for that info.
2007-10-12 08:25:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does China control Tibet? Are many of the leaders of this former country still alive? They turned and ran, and used their belief to rationalize it. And, by the way, vegetables are "living", so your characterization is not quite right..
True story:
My friend was on a plane and seated next to, who else, the Dalai Lama. When the meal was served (remember when they still did that) the Dalai Lama had the chicken. My friend asked, "Aren't you a vegetarian?" The Lama responded "That's just for strict Buddhists."
2007-10-12 08:37:22 · answer #5 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That doesn't count its in defence. I had no intension of killing the bear until my own life was treatend.
To take this a step further: If I hit a deer with my car it does not come back on me because I had to intension of killing him so it will not come back to me as negative Karma.
Thats the best way I know to put it hope it helps.
2007-10-12 08:31:43 · answer #6 · answered by Star B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If i'm terrific suited there are 4 styles of responses in Buddhism. i'm tremendously particular that they could shield themselves by non-violent potential, yet are under no circumstances to commence a combat, and under no circumstances to verbally argue out of anger. although i'm tremendously particular maximum dodge it and can truly die, the fourth point enables you, as a Buddhist, to even kill if had to stop evil from happening. i'm thinking it is alongside the lines of say in the time of WW2 Hitler attacked you, you would be justified and not convey any undesirable Karma upon your next life in case you killed him. i could desire to be incorrect, yet i think it is of their scriptures, although distinctive branches do not shop on with particular texts, and there is not a unmarried cannon it relatively is accepted interior the religion.
2016-10-22 04:18:33 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its in our nature to want to live. We eat every day, we take care of our bodies.
So if a bear was attempting to end our lives, I think its good to fight back. Its not such a big deal to die though.
Maybe an enlightened being would fight back but would not be scared. I don't really know.
2007-10-15 10:55:53 · answer #8 · answered by Teaim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not only an inherent part of our nature, but also our duty in the grander scheme, to protect ourselves from harm - whatever form it takes. Self-defense.
Neil S - Your comment would make the Dalai Lama giggle.
2007-10-12 08:41:44 · answer #9 · answered by Estrella E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some would some would not...depending on where they are at spiritually.
One tries to minimize as much as possible their affect on living creatures, which goes along with developing compassion and avoiding negative karma.
2007-10-12 08:26:20 · answer #10 · answered by DaddyBoy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋