Expert: Justin Choo - 5/16/2011

Question
What is your perspective on embryonic stem cells? also is there any specific/doctrine which founds this belief? It is to my understanding that the Five Skandhas must be present for an organism to be considered sentient, if so what is the moral status of an embryo? To your understanding what is the primary difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?

Your response is much appreciated, thankyou in advance.

Answer
Hi Hamish,

I wish to inform you that I am not a Buddhist scholar; neither am I an intellect.  I only use my common sense with a broad knowledge of Buddhist teachings to answer all the questions.

In this case, I shall also be using my common sense to answer.  I encourage people to use this simple acid test to arrive at a reasonable answer.  This is like a catch-all solution.  We need not have to search through the Buddhist scriptures to find answers.  Ask ourselves these 3 questions:

1. Is the action harmful to oneself?
2. Is the action harmful to others?
3. Is the action beneficial?


<<"It is to my understanding that the Five Skandhas must be present for an organism to be considered sentient,..">>

You have used the appropriate term "sentient".  According to the dictionary @
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sentient

"sentient" means:
1. having the power of perception by the senses; conscious.

2. characterized by sensation and consciousness.

The qualifying factor is "consciousness".  

<<"...if so what is the moral status of an embryo?">>

The deciding factor is to establish at which point in time the embryo takes on consciousness; and this is a big question.

<<"To your understanding what is the primary difference between Mahayana Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism?">>
The fundamental teachings of the Buddha are similar in both.  The main difference is the Bodhisatta vow of Mahayana against the Arahant liberation of Theravada.  Of course we have the different rites and rituals and also Mahayana text that are not found in Theravada, which to me is not a big issue.


Hope this helps.

Take care.

Justin Choo