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The first precept with reference to Tibetan Buddhism....x

minimayhen88minimayhen88 Veteran
edited October 2011 in Buddhism Basics
As a researcher I tend to over-analyse everything to the utmost. I am just starting a career in charity work, and have little time to find a teacher at this moment in time. I would be so gateful if someone could answer my question;

In tibetan buddhism - the first precept reads 'do not kill' does this include 'harming others'?

Kindly and with love x

Claudie

Comments

  • compassionate_warriorcompassionate_warrior Veteran
    It refers specifically to killing. The precepts taken as a whole are aimed at the idea of "ahimsa": not harming.
  • Kwantum_KevKwantum_Kev
    I would be interesting to see what others post, but as I have read and understand it, harming others - without actually killing them - falls more under the tenets of the 2nd precept, which is abstaining from taking what is not given.

    Basically, when we harm someone, we "take" their serenity, their peace, and their happiness. Although in the west, we tend to think of taking things only in the material sense, I think that when the Buddha spoke of it, he was referring not to just them, but to those ineffable things that can be taken from us as well.

    Just the thoughts I have based upon several interpretations in numerous books I have read.


    Many blessings,

    Kwan Kev
  • minimayhen88minimayhen88 Veteran
    edited October 2011
    But in the zen tradition it appears to include harming aswell? x x x x

    (but thank you for response) .... I'm just trying to understand it, wow im so confused eek :-) x
  • minimayhen88minimayhen88 Veteran
    Kwantum_Kev .... v interesting :) thank you x
  • Kwantum_KevKwantum_Kev
    @minimayhen88 - as for the confusion, just try to keep it simple, and remember that though there are literally thousands of interpretations of what the Buddha said and meant (just like all other spiritual masters), the main point is always the same : treat all living things with lovingkindness in every way, every day. The precepts were to "spell it out" to eliminate confusion and provide clarity, but in no way could any set of rules or precepts ever include every single example or instance of what we should or shouldn't do.

    In the end, if we act out of true compassion, and do no harm - in any way - then we are following the precepts. At least IMHO. Of course, I'm just a layperson who knows little, and is sure of even less : ) Lol

    Kwan Kev
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited October 2011
    Interesting interpretation of the 2nd precept, Kev.
    @minimayhen88 The different Buddhist traditions do have variations in their precepts. You can look up Zen precepts online and Tibetan Buddhist precepts and see they're not the same. So don't expect them to match up, just regard it as sectarian differences. But I'm not aware that the Zen ones extend the 1st precept to not harming in gen'l . Seems unnecessary.

    The precept against alcohol also is aimed at non-harming. Heedlessness can cause harm to self and others. Likewise the injunction against slander, which is about non-harming verbally. I noticed the Zen precepts don't say "slander", they say more generally, don't talk about others.

    I think the precepts, along with guidelines for right speech and right livelihood are to be taken holistically as guidelines for not harming.
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