Expert: Justin Choo - 7/12/2011

Question
Dear Justin
Read with interest your latest entry in your blog about undertaking to observe Panca Sila where you addressed the issue of the first precept of killing explicitly. I agree we are confronted with this conflict of principles. Someone commented that I would be classified a "murderer" indirectly by not killing that mosquito *not even sure its aedes* when I blew it off my arm as I allow it to live and to spread dengue thus killing innocent lives. You mentioned "As monks they are required to keep their precepts strictly without compromise". What about lay people then? Can we keep our five precepts just like the monks strictly without compromise?
Thank you.
With metta

Answer
Hi my old friend Hosan,

It's not a matter of whether we can or cannot.  It is a choice of whether we should or should not.  When we do things without compromise notwithstanding the underlying circumstances, we are treading on dangerous ground.  We need to use our wisdom to weigh things.  We will become a nuisance and a danger to society if we are rigid with our perceived non-compromising moral high ground. This is what extremists are made of.  As I said before, if you want to maintain this type of strict moral principles, then you need to become a monk.  We as Buddhists understand what a monk is, and we can understand and respect his way of life as prescribed by the Buddha.  As lay person, we should not adopt this type of attitude.  It simply does not flow with the tide of mundane life.  I would agree with your statement that you might be accused of being a murderer if you insist on allowing the mosquito to cause death to someone.  What if that someone happens to be your loved one?

This apparent contradiction of goodness versus foolishness is a most glaring problem amongst Buddhists.  Please remember, do not become a good-hearted fool.  I have forewarned you before, my good old friend.

Take care, and hope to see you before I die. (LOL)

Justin Choo