Buddhism Case

Buddhism - Do no Harm (Ahimsa)

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, lead the way to enlightenment through the religious practices of Buddhism. This young man sought out to teach the world of the 'middle way' between asceticism and self indulgence ultimately searching for balance. Whether a sangha (a monk or nun of the Buddhist community) or a Buddha (awakened or enlightened one), both gems partake in dharma, the teachings of the Buddha (Oxtoby & Segal 392, 437). Dharma teaches the way to reach the ultimate goal, that of parinirvana; "the final end of the cycle of birth, the total cessation of suffering, [and] the perfection of happiness" (Oxtoby & Segal, 388). A core teaching of the dharma embraces an ethic of non-harm also known as ahimsa. Buddhists embrace non-harm or non-violence as a life-style through the use of certain practices, denunciation of certain rituals, and association with the three root evils in order to achieve liberation (Pearson).

Since the ultimate goal in Buddhism is to reach parinirvana, one must live a life of righteousness in order to be released from the cycle of life and death. While righteousness is lived to the fullest through the collaboration of several core teachings, "non-violence is the highest form of religious conduct" and is seen central to individual spiritual and physical well-being (Oxtoby & Segal 353). Each member of the Buddhist community embraces ahimsa as an ethical lifestyle by avoiding violence in any form, can one achieve righteousness which than lead one to parinirvana. The doctrine of "do no harm" falls under three different categories: thought, word and action as well as deed. These three categories allow Buddhists to be conscientious of their practices.

Ahimsa can be seen from different perspectives, thus, Buddhists must pay close attention to the theory, practice and broad spectrum of non-harm. Violence can occur in varying forms including thought, word as well as deed (Oxtoby & Segal 353). Even the thought of harm is deemed detestable. Ahimsa has been stated as an attitude of striving not to harm but also to limit what is destroyed (Pearson). For example, most Buddhists are vegetarians since taking the life of an animal is simply prohibited, and hunting for game is forbidden. Although harm to animal life is limited if one is a vegetarian, Buddhist can still destroy plant life, for example, by crunching down on a single piece of celery. In addition, monks ritually sweep the ground before sitting as to avoid harming any forms of life. However, "certain non-animal foods including honey, alcohol and eggplant are prohibited under extenuating medical circumstances" (Oxtoby & Segal 364). In comparison to a lifestyle similar to my own, I would be considered as tarnishing the Buddhists culture as I indirectly harm animals and plants daily for dietary reasons, and consume three meals a day. As shown through various examples, the core teachings of "do no harm" are extensively considered throughout the practices of Buddhism.

Deviating from the core teachings of non-harm is easier than one would imagine. Every being is equipped to fall subject to the three root evils as each root plays