Expert: Bodhicitta - 9/30/2006

Question
Dear Bodhicitta,
I have a gold fish which is infected with a terrible disease. In spite of all the medication i have tried on the fish , no improvement seems to take place . Its condition is getting worse and worse and all its fins have been rotten .There is no way the fish is going to survive .
Question 1 )
I feel bad to see my fish suffering this way ,if i decided to end its life in a painless way , does that consider as killing ?
Question 2 ) WHat would you suggest me to do if you don't recommend me to end its life ?

Thank you very much  

Answer
Poh Kian Bin
When an animal is suffering it is good to care for it compassionately to the best of your ability. This creates good karma for the future. If you decide then the animal is beyond all help and is suffering too much then you are faced with the   dilemma as to whether to end it's life. Really this is a decision you must take based on your understanding of the situation and your current understanding of dharma. You have a special responsibility for caring for this animal and making the decision.

I would recommend that you understand the vow of not killing to be a spectrum of possibilities. Some are clearly very negative such as killing a human being some are less negative such as ending a suffering animal beyond help's life. We do of course kill all the time, just by moving and breathing. So it is obviously a spectrum.

I think it is good that you have thought about it - now you must make your best decision. Buddhism is a personal path of training, and learning. You must make your decision.

Bodhicitta