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Violence and Nonviolence in Buddhist Animal Ethics

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 02:55 authored by Stewart, JJ
Boiled alive for killing an ant. Suffering endless demonic flagellation for trading as a butcher. According to some Buddhist writings, these are just a few of the punishments bestowed upon those who harm animals. Are such promises sincere or are they merely hollow threats intended to inculcate good conduct? Are there other non-prudential reasons for protecting animals? How do these views differ from preceding Indian traditions? These are some of the questions addressed in this paper. I will argue that the threat of a bad rebirth is a major factor in motivating Buddhists to abstain from animal cruelty. By comparing the Vinaya (both Mahāyāna and Theravāda) to the Sūtra literature I will argue that such claims may be exaggerations to motivate more compassionate conduct from Buddhist adherents. I also argue that Buddhist texts look unfavorably upon animal killing in a way unheard of in the Vedic religious tradition. Although there may be disagreement over what sort of harm may befall animal abusers, it is almost universally acknowledged amongst most Buddhist sects that animal killing is completely unacceptable. However, this pacifism lives in uneasy tension with the promise of extreme violence for impinging on these basic principles of nonviolence.

History

Publication title

Journal of Buddhist Ethics

Volume

21

Pagination

623-655

ISSN

1076-9005

Department/School

School of Humanities

Publisher

Pennsylvania State University * Department of History &Religious Studies Program

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

Copyright 2014 Journal of Buddhist Ethics

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in philosophy and religious studies

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