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Expert: - 3/8/2010


Question
Dear Sir/ Madam, i would be very happy if you kindly forward me answer of this question, What is crime in Buddhism?

Answer
Dear amor,
"Crime" is a legal concept, and is therefore specified by whatever powers, good or bad, may have control in the area.
Ethics, on the other hand, are governed by the question of what is helpful or unhelpful, what acts may increase suffering and decrease happiness, what may decrease suffering and increase happiness. Simple enough, until you start to think about the details!
Because we all need the help and support of our societies there is a general, initial presumption that crime is a bad thing, avoiding crime is good; but this is not an absolute rule.
Nominally Buddhist governments may try to make an equation between obeying their laws and acting ethically, as do governments with other religious labels, but ethics and legality are not the same thing, just related.
I hope that helps a bit.
All the best
Alex W

Buddhists

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Alex Wilding

Expertise

I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life. I am also available to provide background information for journalists.

Experience

I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice. I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.

Education/Credentials
My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.

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