Capital punishment

Exploring Theravāda's connections to other paths - what can we learn from other traditions, religions and philosophies?
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phil
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Capital punishment

Post by phil »

Hi all

I was astonished to read recently that 80% of Japanese are in favour of capital punishment and only 6% are opposed. I have so many Japanese friends and they are so gentle and moderate in their behaviour that it just doesn't fit. Personally, I suspect that it is most a matter of not thinking things through clearly. Would those in favour be willing to press the button themselves, or are they comfortable to allow others to earn the kamma that comes with intentional killing? (A bit similar to the vegetarianism issue, which I personally see as a human rights issue as much as an animal rights issue - we are so comfortable in allowing others to do the killing to feed our immoderate needs for a pleasing luxury of taste sensations. But that's another topic.)

BTW, do executions appear anywhere in the tipitika? I can't recall coming across that notion. I think there is a sutta in which the Buddha sees a groups of prisoners being dragged in chains, but doesn't interfere on the grounds that they need to work out their kamma. so it may be that as unpleasant as it may be to our sensibilities, that for both the executed and the executioner, there is kamma that is being worked out, so it is to be accepted from a strict understanding of the Dhamma. That *may* be the case.

Metta,

Phil

p.s should be pointed out that a problem in Japan is that there is no life sentence without parole.
Kammalakkhano , bhikkhave, bālo, kammalakkhano pandito, apadānasobhanī paññāti
(The fool is characterized by his/her actions/the wise one is characterized by his/her actions/Wisdom shines forth in behaviour.)
(AN 3.2 Lakkhana Sutta)
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Fede
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by Fede »

Then the Japanese system needs addressing.
They need different parameters to consider, in ordfer to make different choices.....

Opposed to it.
Completely and unequivocally. Without exception, I oppose it.
"Samsara: The human condition's heartbreaking inability to sustain contentment." Elizabeth Gilbert, 'Eat, Pray, Love'.

Simplify: 17 into 1 WILL go: Mindfulness!

Quieta movere magna merces videbatur. (Sallust, c.86-c.35 BC)
Translation: Just to stir things up seemed a good reward in itself. ;)

I am sooooo happy - How on earth could I be otherwise?! :D


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kc2dpt
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by kc2dpt »

You posted this to Dhamma free-for-all. Is there a point of Dhamma you wish to discuss?
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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Ngawang Drolma.
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by Ngawang Drolma. »

do executions appear anywhere in the tipitika? I can't recall coming across that notion. I think there is a sutta in which the Buddha sees a groups of prisoners being dragged in chains, but doesn't interfere on the grounds that they need to work out their kamma.
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phil
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by phil »

Peter wrote:You posted this to Dhamma free-for-all. Is there a point of Dhamma you wish to discuss?
Ah yes. I think I confused "Dhamma free for all" with the "almost anything goes" lounge. Thanks Drolma, you pulled out a relevant Dhamma-related point. Any attitudes towards capital punishment expressed in the tipitaka. The issue of allowing others to take the kamma related to killing is also valid, I guess, but probably belongs in the lounge area.

Metta,

Phil
Kammalakkhano , bhikkhave, bālo, kammalakkhano pandito, apadānasobhanī paññāti
(The fool is characterized by his/her actions/the wise one is characterized by his/her actions/Wisdom shines forth in behaviour.)
(AN 3.2 Lakkhana Sutta)
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Ngawang Drolma.
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by Ngawang Drolma. »

phil wrote:
Peter wrote:You posted this to Dhamma free-for-all. Is there a point of Dhamma you wish to discuss?
Ah yes. I think I confused "Dhamma free for all" with the "almost anything goes" lounge. Thanks Drolma, you pulled out a relevant Dhamma-related point. Any attitudes towards capital punishment expressed in the tipitaka. The issue of allowing others to take the kamma related to killing is also valid, I guess, but probably belongs in the lounge area.

Metta,

Phil
Hi Phil,

I don't think the Buddha suggested that we accrue negative karma by taking life, even if we think our intentions are wholesome. We may think it's wholesome, but we're inherently deluded.

:anjali:
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mikenz66
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by mikenz66 »

Hi Drolma,
Drolma wrote: I don't think the Buddha suggested that we accrue negative karma by taking life, even if we think our intentions are wholesome. We may think it's wholesome, but we're inherently deluded.
I think that perhaps you didn't mean the "don't"...

Metta
Mike
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Ngawang Drolma.
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by Ngawang Drolma. »

mikenz66 wrote:Hi Drolma,
Drolma wrote: I don't think the Buddha suggested that we accrue negative karma by taking life, even if we think our intentions are wholesome. We may think it's wholesome, but we're inherently deluded.
I think that perhaps you didn't mean the "don't"...

Metta
Mike
Hi Mike :)

You're losing me. Why would the Buddha suggest that we take life?

Thanks
ND
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mikenz66
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by mikenz66 »

Sorry I misread your sentence ... :reading:

Where you said:
"I don't think the Buddha suggested that we accrue negative karma by taking life.." I thought you meant to say:
"I think the Buddha stated that we accrue negative karma by taking life...", thinking that you used "suggested" with the meaning of "stated", rather than the meaning of "told us to"...

:thinking:
Mike
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by jcsuperstar »

im under the impression that if war, or capital punishment or any other form of brutality in the name of "justice" actually worked the world would have been perfect a long time ago. so many people have been killed and never once has it stopped crime, or murder, or terroism or any other form of crime from being in the world... you'd think we'd have figured this out by now
สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat
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Ngawang Drolma.
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by Ngawang Drolma. »

mikenz66 wrote:Sorry I misread your sentence ... :reading:

Where you said:
"I don't think the Buddha suggested that we accrue negative karma by taking life.." I thought you meant to say:
"I think the Buddha stated that we accrue negative karma by taking life...", thinking that you used "suggested" with the meaning of "stated", rather than the meaning of "told us to"...

:thinking:
Mike
I see, communication error. :anjali:

I meant the Buddha didn't tell us we should take life, for any reason.
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cooran
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by cooran »

Hello all,

This may be of interest:

Tambadāthika
A public executioner of Rājagaha. He had copper-coloured teeth and tawny skin, and his body was covered with scars. He wished to join a band of thieves, but, for some time, the ringleader refused to admit him on account of his inordinately cruel looks. In the end he was admitted; but when the thieves were captured and no one could be found willing to kill as many as five hundred of them, Tambadāthika agreed to do it for a reward, and slew all his colleagues. He was afterwards appointed public executioner and held the post for fifty-five years. When he became too old to behead a man with one blow, another was appointed in his place, and he was deprived of the four perquisites to which he had, for so many years, been entitled - old clothes, milk porridge made with fresh ghee, jasmine flowers, and perfumes.

On the day on which he was deposed from office, he gave orders for milk porridge to be cooked, and having bathed and decked himself out, he was about to eat, when Sāriputta, out of compassion for him, appeared at his door. Tambadāthika invited the Elder in and entertained him hospitably. When Sāriputta began the words of thanksgiving, his host could not concentrate his thoughts, being worried by memories of his past wickedness. Sāriputta consoled him by representing to him that he had merely carried out the king's orders. At the end of the sermon, Tambadāthika developed the qualities necessary for becoming a Sotāpanna. When Sāriputta left, Tambadāthika accompanied him on his way, but on the way back he was gored to death by a cow.

The cow was a Yakkhinī who also killed:

Pukkusāti,
Bāhīya Dārucīriya
Suppabuddha
(DhA.ii.35; UdA.289).

The Buddha said he had been reborn in the Tusita world. DhA.ii.203ff.
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metta
Chris
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DNS
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by DNS »

phil wrote: I was astonished to read recently that 80% of Japanese are in favour of capital punishment and only 6% are opposed. I have so many Japanese friends and they are so gentle and moderate in their behaviour that it just doesn't fit.
Hi Phil,

From unscientific polls (such as those on Buddhist forums) it appears that most Buddhists are opposed to the death penalty. I suspect the First Precept and the fact that a former murderer, Angulimala, became an Arahant are the primary reasons many Buddhists who have studied the Suttas are opposed to the death penalty.

Yet, as you have seen, many Buddhist countries have and support the death penalty. I imagine this may change to increased opposition as Buddhists move more toward a study based approach instead of a ritualistic form of practice. Or maybe they have legitimate reasons for supporting the death penalty in some instances. It would be interesting to hear from Buddhists who support the death penalty. Most of the 'unscientific' polls show about 90% of Buddhists opposed to the death penalty, but these are on online forums where most are familiar with the Suttas.
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kc2dpt
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by kc2dpt »

Drolma wrote:I don't think the Buddha suggested that we accrue negative karma by taking life, even if we think our intentions are wholesome. We may think it's wholesome, but we're inherently deluded.
I also thought you typo'd here.
It read to me like you were denying the Buddha taught killing creates negative karma. :jawdrop:
But now I see what you are saying.
The Buddha taught us to refrain from taking life, even if we think our intentions are wholesome. We may thing it's wholesome, but that sort of thinking is inherently deluded.
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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kc2dpt
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Re: Capital punishment

Post by kc2dpt »

Again, I really think it comes down to what you think it means to "be a Buddhist".

Is a Buddhist someone who is willing to put the teachings (as they have come down to us) into practice and see for themselves where they lead?

Or is a Buddhist someone who may feel influenced by some of what the Buddha taught, appreciates some of his teachings, but ultimately feels they and they alone can unravel what the scriptures really mean? Or someone who feels some scriptures contain wisdom while others can be safely ignored? Is this really keeping as open mind? Or is it allowing one's closed mind to filter and alter the teachings?

Isn't it more of an open mind to say "I don't know if I agree with all of this but I am willing to give it a try and see what happens"?

Is a mind that's only open to the possibility of others being wrong really open? Or should an open mind also be open to the possibility of oneself being wrong?

I practice Buddhism because I am open to the possibility that the way I've been living life to this point perhaps isn't the right way to peace, that maybe my instincts are wrong, that perhaps I am in fact deluded in very fundamental ways. Who am I to say rebirth and kamma aren't true? I don't really have an evidence one way or the other. I only have preferences and predilections and biases. In light of that, what's one view over another? If someone I admire and respect suggests I try a different view, why not give it a try?
- Peter

Be heedful and you will accomplish your goal.
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