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Buddhists/do not kill

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Expert: - 6/24/2011


Question
I want to know your opinion on putting a loved pet to sleep that is old and suffering and has no hope of recovery. The "do not kill" rule seems pretty unflexible. Also, if you had ants in your kitchen, or lice in your hair, or even steak in your fridge. It seems impossible to comply. What to do?

Answer
Hi Janice,

I used to give longer answers to this recurring question.  But this time I think I shall give you a very simple and straight forward answer which will put your heart at ease.  Should you wish to read the longer answers, please come back and I shall "copy&paste" for you.  

First, killing per se is unwholesome.  So we should try our best to avoid killing.  There is no way we can avoid killing completely if we want to lead a worldly life. If we insist, then we may become a nuisance to society, even posing a danger to others; if we refuse to kill even a disease-carrying mosquito. In the final analysis, please use your discretion and common sense to decide.

Hope this simple answer helps.

(Oh yes, about putting pets to sleep.... you have to decide for yourself.  It is too easy for me to say "do not kill" but then again........????)

Take care,

Justin Choo  

Buddhists

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Justin Choo

Expertise

When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.

Experience

I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple. My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @ http://www.ksridhammananda.com

Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.

Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @ http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/ Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)

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