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Are Buddhists Allowed To Commit Suicide?
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Like the planet will one day supernova, what happens then, we might have another 500 lives ahead of us, but what happens when it all ends?
Do we become aliens?
Rebirth is constant, Even the Universe is reborn again and again. Samsara doesnt have a begining or an end ( with exception for liberation and enlightenment of course ) Untill Ignorance and the very source of our suffering is eliminated then we will be constantly reborn and we will constantly suffer in life after life, When the planet dies we will be reborn elsewhere, when the universe ends it will be born again...Samsara goes on.
Knowing this how unwise would it be for someone to throw away their life when they have a precious oppertunity to finally release themselves from suffering for good ?
They obviously knew what they were doing, yet chose this action as a means of a protest and a statement.
P.S. They say that suffering burns off negative karma from this lifetime and/or past ones. You're burning off a ton of karma, Idon'tlikemylife--really cleaning out your closet. It will get better.
Thanks, that did actually make me feel a little better.
Just for the record, I'm not currently suicidal, but I have been before, and might be at some point in the future.
Sometimes with life it just seems pointless, and it just comes across as being miserable for the sake of being miserable, and why wait for it to finish naturally?, ya know.
Originally I came here looking for advice on how to go run to the other end on the planet and live working on a farm in a monastery or something, and although I don't think its fair on Buddhists to call myself a Buddhist, I will look into it and go to a temple or something and see if I can find anything that will convince me that what I'm doing is right?
Is that really how Karma works?
So my family have struggled with so much, and haven't done anything bad in their entire lives, because they must have been ba***rds in a previous life?
Regardless of what will happen after we die, or even in 30 days from now, we all have the right to enjoy the process of living, enlightened or not. That doesn't mean relaxing and having fun all the time, but having a sense of joy or at least direction in life.
As for suicide, historically there have been suicidal monks all over asia. Some were even self mummified. I don't know why they did it, but the Buddha didn't advocate suicide.
As for us poor mortals, committing suicide can be a way to escape suffering that we find unbearable.
I'm not gonna patronize and say people should just go on in their misery. Sometimes life is just not working the way it is. But eliminating this suffering doesn't need to come with the destruction of a person's body, because there is not where the suffering lies.
For the Buddha, the suffering lies in our minds: in our beliefs, expectations and habits. Why would someone be willing to let go of their body but not of their beliefs?
Peace...
I've heard/read this argument. Some people would say, "yes". I wouldn't. I think sometimes the logic comes across as blaming-the-victim. But this is a good question to ask that new Buddhist community you're going to look up and become a part of. Maybe you could see the presiding teacher privately for some counseling, and you could ask important questions like that. Maybe someone here will have a good answer. The important thing is that, in spite of all obstacles, your family is still living a virtuous life. They don't let the flack get them down, no to the point of abandoning their values. Maybe there's something for you to learn in this.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and take one day at a time. Are you working or in school? If you have free time, check out free programs, like community center activities or the YMCA. If your locale has more than one Buddhist center, check them all out and see which one fits best. Maybe you could do volunteer work at the one you decide on. Maybe you could volunteer for an environmental org. or the Parks Dept., and clear hiking trails. Maybe you could tutor an underprivileged child; helping others is a great way to find satisfaction in life and to get your mind off your own situation. And helping others is the first step on the Buddhist path, you know.
Life is never pointless, IDLML. We're here to grow spiritually, and to help each other. You wait for your life to finish naturally, because you never know what's coming down the pike; you might someday become a gifted teacher who helps kids in your current situation. You might become a scientist who finds the cure for AIDS. You might become an ordinary Joe who inspires wayward youth as a sports coach in his spare time. You might become a nurse who comforts children recovering from surgery, or going through chemotherapy. Everyone has their own unique gift to share with humanity, and you haven't given yourself a chance to discover yours, yet. You wouldn't want to rob humanity of your special gift, would you? We need you. We need all hands on deck to help us find our way out of the impending ecological and economic crisis (to name just a couple of challenges facing the world). :rolleyes: After you pass through your current troubles, you might have inspiring words to say to others in a similar boat. See if you can make yourself useful to someone, and maybe you'll begin to discover your special gift. It's there, just waiting for you to discover it.
Namaste
Long answer: Yes, however Buddhist teachings say that suicide would be a very foolish thing to do. You may be miserable, but you should look at your conditions and compare them to others. You seem to be going through teenage depression, which is something most of us go through. I went through the exact same thing. Things will get better for you, I promise.
With Metta,
Todd
And that's the best answer.
I don't like to phrase conduct in terms of "Are Buddhists allowed..." because we're not about obeying a list of rules. But, we do vow to avoid taking life, and there is no distinction between your own life or someone else.
Also, suicide is usually a very selfish act that hurts other people, all the people who know and love you and will carry the guilt and anger over the act. Suicide is done in the depths of depression and suffering. We have other prescriptions for suffering.
But what about that solitary monk in Vietnam who set himself on fire in protest? I wish he hadn't. Most Buddhists wish he had continued to live and try to help the people as best he could. His action didn't shorten the war one bit or save one person from being shot. But, he was watching his entire world explode and he was one casualty among countless during that time.
Maybe yes, maybe no. The analogy I've been given is that karma is like a debt. You might have incurred a debt through a big bad action, or just a lot of little moments of negligence. Lots and lots of times when you should have known better...
When the wheel of karma decides to collect the debt, it might be slow and gradual, or it might be calamitous. When we suffer, then, it might in a sense be "earned," and yet not "fair."
A drunk who destroys his life "earned" his suffering, but that doesn't mean that it is "fair" that he suffers. The idea is that the drunk, through ignorance and botching, did it to himself; not that he deserves it, or that we should enjoy watching him suffer.
This is my understanding; I don't have a textual basis for it.
If I had the power to command you not to kill yourself, and to decide to endure what life dishes out, I would.
Buddha bless,
Conrad.
However, I do wonder whether those who 'condemn' suicide appreciate the level of both physical and mental suffering that many of the suicidal endure? And whether it is understood that those who do kill themselves often feel that they are doing the right thing for their family? I felt like that when I was very ill, although now I know that it is not true.
I have chronic and constant pain from a number of different conditions. I also have a life threatening heart condition which severely restricts my lifestyle - I manage to work fulltime in a demanding job through willpower and the desire to provide for my family. I am diagnosed with 9 separate health conditions - two that are life threatening, several that are chronic and painful, several that are intermittent, but uncomfortable.
I feel cheated in some respects because if I hadn't been correctly diagnosed seven years ago then I would have experienced a 'guilt free' sudden death.
I frequently wonder what the point of my enduring this is. I often feel that I cannot contribute to the world or enjoy much of it as most of the time I am either resting or working (although I do love my job!). There is so much that I want to do and cannot. Is doing what I can and practicing Buddhism really enough? Is this really as good as it gets?
Entering the Bardo after death is a very difficult and frightening thing for most people as the mind dis engages from the body. If the final act in one's life is a violent one, this becomes even worse.
Also, even though the body may have ended prematurely, the karma that is associated with that life still needs to play out. It is my understanding that this can lead to a longer and more painful time in the Bardo as well as a lower rebirth.
Sorry to hear about your struggle, Fran45. At least you love your job. Are you able to meditate, or does the pain interfere?
Buddhism neither encourages nor forbids the taking of one's own life; although it's strongly discouraged and most certainly a violation of the first precept. Suicide was never condoned by the Buddha, and is almost never considered blameless if we go by what the Suttas themselves have to say on the matter. From the Buddhist point of view, killing yourself isn't a solution for suffering (and I'd strongly urge anyone who's feeling suicidal to talk to someone about how they feel, whether it's a friend, relative or a professional counselor). That said, I don't see this as a completely black or white issue either (e.g., see is euthanasia allowed in buddhism?).
I've read (granted from the internet) that his death was massive in the media and actually hastened the end of the Vietnam War; it was the catalyst for doing so; thereby saving many lives.
I've also read he's considered a Bodisatva for doing so, particularly when it was a more junior Monk's idea and this Monk 'over ruled' him because of his seniority and chose to set himself on fire.
Not only have I been there, but I've trained and worked on a suicide hotline. I know firsthand that people in deep depression only want the pain to stop, and eventually in their desperation they convince themselves that things are never going to be better, that this is the best solution and that "people will be better off" when I'm gone.
The problem with the mind is, it has an infinite capacity to justify a person's actions. Add alcohol and/or loneliness to the mix, and it's a lethal combination. The Holidays are an especially bad time for some people with no real family or friends.
You know as well as I do that it is easy for me to promise that your problems are going to get better, but I don't really know you or your situation. All I can say is, there is always a chance and you deserve to be around to find out. You make a difference in the world. If it's one day or even one hour at a time, then that's all the strength you need.
I can't speak to the Bodhisattva aspect of it, but apparently that Buddhist culture has a unique outlook on the benefits and wisdom of self-immolation not shared by most Buddhists. After the first monk did this in 1963, there were at least 7 more ritual immolations by Buddhist monks and nuns over the next few years that nobody outside of the country even heard about.
But I lived through the war and it barely made a dent in the public's perception of Vietnam and the war didn't end until 1975, ended by other political methods, really.
Part of the problem with those who are suicidal, and with me, is the comparison to others and imagining what life 'should' be or could be like. Before my health collapsed I was very active, very ambitious, had many, many interests and many plans for the future. I was also always involved in volunteering and in politics. Most of this has had to stop and my life is a very pale shadow of what I had planned. It is frustrating and I sometimes feel resentful and that I just want it all stop.
Are Buddhists allowed to commit suicide? Well, we're allowed to do anything we want, but should know that every action has consequences - very, very many that are unintended. Why throw a precious human life away? What a terrible waste, and a terrible burden for those left behind.
Metta
Suicide reinforces the habit of rejecting our experience. So we are more likely to do that in future lives.
Even if you don't believe in karma you can out of love and compassion think how you can make your life meaningful and enjoy it. For example you can help others (even if you don't have many friends or family). Just doing a meditation practice (or devotional) is worthwhile even when you have emotional pain. It is very brave.
Most people who try to commit suicide and fail usually change their minds later and want to live.