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Upset about death...

PravardigarPravardigar New
edited March 2012 in Buddhism Basics
I have and am always trying to be really careful about killing things. Recently I have gone through a spate of killing things by accident. I know I shouldn't be too concerned but I am, as I assume their is a lesson here that I may be missing. I just can't seem to put my finger on it. Need help. Mindfulness possibly?

Comments

  • Lady_AlisonLady_Alison Veteran
    Killing things like people, insects, microbes? Explain?
  • patbbpatbb Veteran
    as I assume their is a lesson here that I may be missing.
    may i suggest one?
    you can't control everything, accept this.
    and let go of trying too hard to beat this natural law and beating yourself up when you can't.
  • KnightofBuddhaKnightofBuddha
    Worry about the big ones first, like not killing people. Then not your cat or dog, or pet tortoise. Anything smaller than that, I start to lose interest. Animals within the moral sphere start to depreciate the tinier they get. Just a cold fact of life.
  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    Intention is key.

    Since it is an accident, you can do a little prayer for them.

    The mind is what records. The mind is what is guilty or in regret. Thus if the mind see's oneself in regret and following through with intentional action or wish that they'd have a good rebirth, etc the mind will also rest. Even if you don't believe in rebirth, etc you can give good vibes and intentions for those that die. The negativity karma is there but it is severely lessened.

    now there are many ways you can avoid this. if this occurs a lot one can build up momentum a day at a time. for instance you can say to yourself that you won't kill anything for one day. and then stick to it. then renew your vows everyday until you can do a week, month, etc. start small rather than i am never going to kill ever again.

    also accidents do happen, so fit that into the equation of life.

    doing 5-10 minutes of meditation per hour helps with keeping daily mindfulness in activities.

    what i did for a while, because i had a habit of killing spiders was to watch my feet and hands while moving about throughout the day.



    use that upset/regret and transform it into right effort.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    Think of mercy and wish that could be possible. I don't know if it works.
  • PravardigarPravardigar New
    Thank you all for your words of wisdom. Am usually pretty careful about taking any life at all, even ants so to speak. Have gone through a patch where I have inadvertently caused the death of a much loved and old pet cat, then it ranges to hitting birds with my car, all of them accidents I just thought that I was suddenly missing something after being careful.. I admit that it could just be me, but i was certain you know. Anyhow I do appreciate the time you guys take to respond to my questions. I am always amazed at how much I still have to learn about myself and about Buddhism.
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