Difference between revisions of "Suicide"
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| − | {{Wiki|Suicide}} is the act of deliberately {{Wiki|killing}} oneself. [[People]] commit | + | {{Wiki|Suicide}} is the act of deliberately {{Wiki|killing}} oneself. [[People]] [[commit suicide]] out of {{Wiki|despair}}, to escape [[suffering]], to avoid [[shame]] or {{Wiki|humiliation}} or sometimes as a {{Wiki|political}} statement. |
The [[Tipiṭaka]] records a case of a young husband and wife [[committing suicide]] because the woman’s [[parents]] were determined to break up their [[marriage]] (M.II,110) and of a group of [[monks]] who killed themselves out of self-disgust (S.V,320). | The [[Tipiṭaka]] records a case of a young husband and wife [[committing suicide]] because the woman’s [[parents]] were determined to break up their [[marriage]] (M.II,110) and of a group of [[monks]] who killed themselves out of self-disgust (S.V,320). | ||
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[[Religious]] {{Wiki|suicide}} was sometimes practised in {{Wiki|ancient India}} too. | [[Religious]] {{Wiki|suicide}} was sometimes practised in {{Wiki|ancient India}} too. | ||
| − | [[Jain]] [[monks]] undertook a practice called sallekhanā which involved [[fasting]] to [[death]]. | + | [[Jain]] [[monks]] undertook a practice called [[sallekhanā]] which involved [[fasting]] to [[death]]. |
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According to [[Buddhist ethics]], {{Wiki|suicide}} is a negative [[action]] similar to murder. | According to [[Buddhist ethics]], {{Wiki|suicide}} is a negative [[action]] similar to murder. | ||
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It is an offence entailing expulsion from the [[Saṅgha]] for a [[monk]] or [[nun]] to encourage someone to commit {{Wiki|suicide}} or to assist them in doing so (Vin.III,71). | It is an offence entailing expulsion from the [[Saṅgha]] for a [[monk]] or [[nun]] to encourage someone to commit {{Wiki|suicide}} or to assist them in doing so (Vin.III,71). | ||
| − | {{Wiki|Suicide}} is virtually unknown in [[Bhutan]], while [[Sri Lanka]] has had for many years one of the [[highest]] | + | {{Wiki|Suicide}} is virtually unknown in [[Bhutan]], while [[Sri Lanka]] has had for many years one of the [[highest]] [[suicide]] rates in the [[world]]. |
‘[[Buddhism]] and {{Wiki|Suicide}}’, [[Damien Keown]], [[Journal of Buddhist Ethics]], Vol.3,1996. | ‘[[Buddhism]] and {{Wiki|Suicide}}’, [[Damien Keown]], [[Journal of Buddhist Ethics]], Vol.3,1996. | ||
Latest revision as of 04:52, 8 January 2016
Suicide is the act of deliberately killing oneself. People commit suicide out of despair, to escape suffering, to avoid shame or humiliation or sometimes as a political statement.
The Tipiṭaka records a case of a young husband and wife committing suicide because the woman’s parents were determined to break up their marriage (M.II,110) and of a group of monks who killed themselves out of self-disgust (S.V,320).
An unusual way to kill oneself was to forcibly hold the breath (Ja.II,7).
The Buddha mentioned that people would sometimes stab themselves, take poison, jump off cliffs or hang themselves because of self-directed anger and rage (A.IV,97-8).
Religious suicide was sometimes practised in ancient India too.
Jain monks undertook a practice called sallekhanā which involved fasting to death.
According to Buddhist ethics, suicide is a negative action similar to murder.
Whereas murder follows from destructive emotions and intentions directed towards another, suicide involves the same or similar negative states directed towards oneself.
It is an offence entailing expulsion from the Saṅgha for a monk or nun to encourage someone to commit suicide or to assist them in doing so (Vin.III,71).
Suicide is virtually unknown in Bhutan, while Sri Lanka has had for many years one of the highest suicide rates in the world.
‘Buddhism and Suicide’, Damien Keown, Journal of Buddhist Ethics, Vol.3,1996.
