Killing

Fenix

I have killed a human being. I told a girl to get an abortion. I cant reach enlightenment in this life time. I feel shocked. I remembered this just now. help:(

Viriya

What is done is done, you can only control your present actions of body speech and mind, and by doing so skillfully purify your past misdeeds...whatever they maybe.

Read the story on this link it is a story from the Buddhas time it will help you see that no matter what one has done in the past they can still walk the path of liberation....and in this persons case all the way!

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/hecker/wheel312.html

Cloud

OP: Actually you do not bear personal responsibility for that death. The girl does, unfortunately.

sukhita

You did not kill a human being. You must have believed at the time that to tell the girl to get an abortion was the right thing. Just contemplate on this deeply for one last time and then forgive yourself and move on. Dwelling on this issue will not change anything, in fact it will be a hindrance to your practice. Be strong and practice diligently. And do read the story of "Angulimala" that Viriya posted a link to.

Fenix

Cloud wrote: »

OP: Actually you do not bear personal responsibility for that death. The girl does, unfortunately.

I feel that is even worse. Causing something to myself is my fault, but the girl is innocent : (

Mr_Serenity

It's wiser to have an abortion to a fetus that isn't even developed into a functional human yet. Than it is to give birth to a child that is not genuinely wanted and will grow up knowing so. You saved the woman some of her own life, so she could later give birth to a child that would receive full care from both sides.

upekka

Fenix wrote: »

I have killed a human being. I told a girl to get an abortion. I cant reach enlightenment in this life time.

it says, Angulimala killed 99 people and attained Arahnthood in the same life time

and
it says again
if one kills one's mother, father, Arahnt, harm Buddha or purposely disturbed the sangha can not attain enlightenment

so
let go of what happened in the past (past means the time before this moment, Now)
and
concentrate on Dhamma you learnt from Sangha or Book and try to understand what they say

you are on your way to enlightenment:)

Honden

Perhaps you should view it from a different perspective, let it be a lesson on impermanence. Humans are cause to their own effect, trying to divert the river instead of going with the flow. Responsibility in this case should be shared, in the same sense that it "takes a village" to raise a child, it doesn't rest on any one person's shoulders...many feel the weight of the decisions of others.

nanadhaja

Fenix wrote: »

I have killed a human being. I told a girl to get an abortion. I cant reach enlightenment in this life time. I feel shocked. I remembered this just now. help:(

You don't know that you can not attain enlightenment in this life.
As others have said what is done is done.If you choose to dwell on this and convince yourself that you will not attain nibbana the I guess you will not.If you strive ardently in your practice then I see no reason why why you should not a least be able to achieve stream entry.
Practice,practice,practice.:)
With metta

Ficus_religiosa

A piece of advise is not forcing the hand of another - it only helps others to make a decision for themselves.
To help cast some light on the issue and put things into perspective is always sound.

I, for instance, readily argue against what I believe just to make the person asking for advice reflect. I will of course say that I do not disagree with their initial standpoint (if I don't), but at the same time point out other opportunities and possible outcomes of different choices. Ultimately I will let them know, that the person will have to decide for him/herself.

Mountains

I agree - you are not responsible. You did not do anything except give advice. I also agree that it's better in the long run for an unwanted child to be aborted than to be born and grow up unloved and unwanted.

caz

Regret for negative actions is a good step, Guilt eating away at yourself is not. With Regret we can train ourselves in the right way knowing that which has resulted in suffering we remember to avoid, With guilt Delusion eats us up over our negative action dragging us futher into the pit.

By my teachers I was taught a good verse for pacifying negativity by relying upon the 4 opponent forces while doing such. ( which are Reliance, Faith, Regret, and the power of the promise )

" To the 3 jewels I rely upon you with sincere faith ! Whatever non virtues of Body, Speech and Mind I have accumulated since time without begining, I sincerly confess from the depths of my heart to the perfect ones the blessed Buddhas and all the other holy beings , Please witness my confession and bless me to be purified of these non-virtues, Having Transgressed and broken my morale discipline I promise that from now on I shall try and avoid engaging in such actions again, Witness my confession and bless me to become just like you ! "

If you recite these with the 4 opponent powers in play you will definatly purify negative actions, Good one to look at for purification are The Sutra of the 3 heaps and Vajrasattva purification the former can be performed by anyone and the later requires an empowerment.

Be well friend.