on killing insects.....

[confusedsoso]

Is it wrong in theravada buddhism killing insects. I think I saw somewhere that killing insects is wrong bodily actions in theravada buddism. I am confused on this topic. Please help me. Thanks in advance.

[DiamondNgXZ]

Insects are considered part of sentient beings in Buddhism. No killing precept in the 5 precepts means no intentional killing of sentient beings.

This is one of the lessons we learn as a kid growing up in a Buddhist family. It was relatively easy for kids to just listen to adults and don't even kill ants or mosquitos. Just brush them away gently, blow them away or pick them up gently and throw to a safe place (not into pools of water). For mosquitos can also use natural repellent which doesn't kills them. Not insect sprays which kills.

To avoid flies, ants, just keep your home hygienic, no exposed food, wash dishes immediately, no leftover food. No eating in the room. Clean up the kitchen after eating if your eating habits makes the floor dirty with food. Oh and don't wear dirty shoes inside your home. Who knows what kinda dirt/food/feces had the bottom of the shoes been exposed to outside?

[JamesTheGiant]

Yes killing insects is against the first precept.
But anything you can't see with the eye, like bacteria and viruses, aren't included.
Monks usually filter their water so they don't accidentally kill swimming insects.

[cappuccino]

Mosquitoes kill more than 700,000 people every year

[TRobinson465]

Mosquitoes kill more than 700,000 people every year

people kill people too. Doesnt mean its not against the first precept.

[confusedsoso]

people kill people too. Doesnt mean its not against the first precept.

If the insects were Adolf Hitler I think most people would kill the insect. Just looking at it from a different angle.

[SarathW]

Yes killing insects is against the first precept.
But anything you can't see with the eye, like bacteria and viruses, aren't included.
Monks usually filter their water so they don't accidentally kill swimming insects.

I think the intention can make how intense the action is.

[DiamondNgXZ]

people kill people too. Doesnt mean its not against the first precept.

If the insects were Adolf Hitler I think most people would kill the insect. Just looking at it from a different angle.

You mean Hitler as mosquito, as in the mosquito is capable of starting a world war?

Or Hitler as in a human, that people would be ok to kill Hitler, if say they got a time machine and got transported to just before WW2 starts, with foreknowledge that killing Hitler can stop WW2?

Most people have innate goodness in them which prevents them from killing another human, even Hitler. It's the form which matters more. There's already plenty of superhero kind of show which shows the great remorse, grief at a superhero first time crossing the line to kill the villain. Jessica Jones season 2 is a prime example. She kept on having the first season bad guy in her head even if she did saved a lot of people by killing Kilgrave.

[DooDoot]

Insects are considered part of sentient beings in Buddhism. No killing precept in the 5 precepts means no intentional killing of sentient beings.

The above sounds like Mahayana or Chinese Buddhism. I don't recall the suttas referring to "sentient beings", particularly in respect to the 1st precept. What are the two Pali words for "sentient beings"? Thanks

[DooDoot]

people kill people too. Doesnt mean its not against the first precept.

If the insects were Adolf Hitler I think most people would kill the insect. Just looking at it from a different angle.

Hello. You should not confuse the behaviour of a Dhamma-Follower with the behaviour of people in the world.

A Dhamma-Follower does not kill insects or Adolf Hilter.

If you read Bhikkhu Bodhi's essay on how Buddhists should die in war to save Jews, you should ignore it.

Kind regards

[salayatananirodha]

yes, it's an action that has cruelty as a basis. avoid it at all costs, ideally. is a gradual practice.....

[confusedsoso]

You mean Hitler as mosquito, as in the mosquito is capable of starting a world war?

Or Hitler as in a human, that people would be ok to kill Hitler, if say they got a time machine and got transported to just before WW2 starts, with foreknowledge that killing Hitler can stop WW2?

I mean that insects can spead diseases that could kill humans like Adolf Hitlers ideology was a disease that ultimately killed millions of people. So wouldnt it make sense to kill Hitler or insects like mosquitos when given the chance even if it meant creating bad karma for yourself. I dunno.

[cappuccino]

So wouldn't it make sense to kill Hitler

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Is it wrong in theravada buddhism killing insects. I think I saw somewhere that killing insects is wrong bodily actions in theravada buddism. I am confused on this topic. Please help me. Thanks in advance.

It's been confirmed that yes, killing is against the first precept in Theravada Buddhism.

That said, you seem to want to keep asking questions about mosquitos called Hitler and what not, so I'm going to move this out of "Theravada For Beginners" and into another section, so moderators no longer have to approve ridiculous answers to irrelevant questions.



Metta,
Paul.

[48vows]

I don't recall the suttas referring to "sentient beings"

You cited one here -

viewtopic.php?p=639029#p639029