Difference between revisions of "Evil"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(Created page with "thumb|250px| Evil (''pāpa'') is a force or a presence of extreme negativity. In many religions evil is believed to originate from a particular being called ...") |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:T001.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:T001.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
− | |||
− | Buddhism and the Mythology of Evil, T. Ling, 1965. | + | |
+ | |||
+ | [[Evil]] (''[[pāpa]]'') is a force or a presence of extreme negativity. In many [[religions]] [[evil]] is believed to originate from a particular being called the [[Devil]] or [[Satan]], who is said to [[cause]] {{Wiki|disasters}} and to tempt [[people]] into doing wrong. | ||
+ | |||
+ | According to [[Buddhism]], [[evil]] certainly [[exists]] in the [[form]] of [[cruelty]], murder, [[avarice]] and theft, but it is [[caused]] by the [[greed]], [[hatred]] and [[ignorance]] that reside in the [[human]] [[heart]], not by an external agent. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Thus, for [[Buddhists]], countering [[evil]] is done through [[moral]] [[education]] – personal and {{Wiki|social}} – not by exorcisms, charms, [[prayers]] or {{Wiki|ceremonies}} that are supposed to keep the [[Devil]] at bay. | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Buddhism]] and the [[Mythology]] of [[Evil]], T. Ling, 1965. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=132 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=132 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] |
Latest revision as of 01:18, 5 January 2016
Evil (pāpa) is a force or a presence of extreme negativity. In many religions evil is believed to originate from a particular being called the Devil or Satan, who is said to cause disasters and to tempt people into doing wrong.
According to Buddhism, evil certainly exists in the form of cruelty, murder, avarice and theft, but it is caused by the greed, hatred and ignorance that reside in the human heart, not by an external agent.
Thus, for Buddhists, countering evil is done through moral education – personal and social – not by exorcisms, charms, prayers or ceremonies that are supposed to keep the Devil at bay.
Buddhism and the Mythology of Evil, T. Ling, 1965.