Voluntary starvation

[Individual]

Would voluntary starvation of oneself be considered a violation of the precept against no killing?

[mikenz66]

This thread has some relevance to the question, at least for bhikkhus.
http://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6397" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mike

[Goofaholix]

Would voluntary starvation of oneself be considered a violation of the precept against no killing?

For a start the precepts aren't commandments they are rules of training or guidelines that we take on board and use to reflect on the wisdom and consequences of our actions, so "violation" is not really an appropriate term in my opinion.

So one would reflect on the motivation for ones proposed action in the light of the 5 precepts to determine if it was wise, though it's hard to imagine circumstances where staring yourself would be considered wise.

[Kim OHara]

I believe it is a Jain practice, an extension of their radical asceticism, and praised as an expression of extreme holiness.
In Buddhist terms, it amounts to throwing away a precious human life, one of our few opportunities to learn the dhamma and make progress towards nibbana. I can't think of any situation where it would be a skillful act for any normally-healthy person.

Kim

[Paññāsikhara]

If one is to intentionally destroy this life, only to take up another existence, then this is something not praised by the Buddha. cf. Channa.

[ground]

Would voluntary starvation of oneself be considered a violation of the precept against no killing?

As a side note: Suicide cannot be considered as full-fledged killing at all.


Kind regards

[Paññāsikhara]

Would voluntary starvation of oneself be considered a violation of the precept against no killing?

As a side note: Suicide cannot be considered as full-fledged killing at all.


Kind regards

Why not? Do you have any Theravadin scriptural support for this statement?

[ground]

Would voluntary starvation of oneself be considered a violation of the precept against no killing?

As a side note: Suicide cannot be considered as full-fledged killing at all.


Kind regards

Why not? Do you have any Theravadin scriptural support for this statement?

Oh sorry. Thank you for this response. I have been very unthoughtful saying this.
I recalled an interpretation that full-fledged killing is a killing where the agent is alive after having killed being able to be conscious of the fact that he/she has killed a living being. In case of suicide this is not possible since the agent is dead.

But I would be happy to learn about the Thervadin view.

Kind regards

[Annapurna]

Would voluntary starvation of oneself be considered a violation of the precept against no killing?

It would be suicide. You know yourself what the Buddha said about that, right?

[Alex123]

It would be suicide. You know yourself what the Buddha said about that, right?

if someone gives up this body and seizes another, I say it is a fault. In the bhikkhu that fault is not apparent. Bhikkhu Channa took his life faultlessly.
http://metta.lk/tipitaka/2Sutta-Pitaka/ ... ada-e.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Annapurna]

Hello, Alex, thanks for adding this,-I knew it would come.

I don't think it can be compared to the hypthetical scenario Individual gave us to think about.

Channa was already going from life to death in excruciating pain, since he was terminally ill.

He knew he would die eventually. He was fully aware of the teachings.

Somebody who starves himself intentionally, however, to end his life, is in another position and mindset than Channa.

He has a choice to live in health.

Channa didn't have that option.

Kind regards,

A.