Difference between revisions of "Disabilities physical and mental"
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Being disabled is the [[state of being]] {{Wiki|physically}} or [[mentally]] less developed or incomplete. Some misinformed [[Buddhists]] believe that to be disabled must be the result of having done something negative in a former [[life]]. | Being disabled is the [[state of being]] {{Wiki|physically}} or [[mentally]] less developed or incomplete. Some misinformed [[Buddhists]] believe that to be disabled must be the result of having done something negative in a former [[life]]. | ||
| − | Such a [[belief]] is a good example of what can be called [[kammic]] {{Wiki|naivety}} | + | Such a [[belief]] is a good example of what can be called [[kammic]] {{Wiki|naivety}}. |
| − | It has likewise been observed that [[people]] with Downs Syndrome are often gentle, [[loving]] and innocent, in stark contrast to some ‘normal’ [[people]]. We may see a disabled [[person]] and think: ‘I would not like to be like that’ but our [[own]] [[feelings]] are no indicator of theirs. | + | Positive or negative [[kamma]] [[manifests]] itself as either positive or negative [[feelings]]. In [[reality]], a [[person]] with a [[physical]] handicap can be as [[happy]] as a fully developed [[person]], sometimes more so. |
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| + | It has likewise been observed that [[people]] with [[Downs Syndrome]] are often gentle, [[loving]] and innocent, in stark contrast to some ‘normal’ [[people]]. We may see a disabled [[person]] and think: ‘I would not like to be like that’ but our [[own]] [[feelings]] are no indicator of theirs. | ||
It is quite possible that a disabled [[person]] could accept their [[condition]] and be [[happy]], content and fulfilled. This being so, it is an unsafe generalization to say that being {{Wiki|physically}} or [[mentally]] disabled is the result of having done something negative in the {{Wiki|past}}. | It is quite possible that a disabled [[person]] could accept their [[condition]] and be [[happy]], content and fulfilled. This being so, it is an unsafe generalization to say that being {{Wiki|physically}} or [[mentally]] disabled is the result of having done something negative in the {{Wiki|past}}. | ||
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Some of the [[Buddha’s disciples]] were {{Wiki|physically}} disabled – [[Khujjuttarā]] was a hunchback and [[Bhaddiya]] was a {{Wiki|dwarf}}. The first was praised by the [[Buddha]] for her great {{Wiki|learning}} (A.I,26) and the second for his beautiful {{Wiki|voice}}. | Some of the [[Buddha’s disciples]] were {{Wiki|physically}} disabled – [[Khujjuttarā]] was a hunchback and [[Bhaddiya]] was a {{Wiki|dwarf}}. The first was praised by the [[Buddha]] for her great {{Wiki|learning}} (A.I,26) and the second for his beautiful {{Wiki|voice}}. | ||
| − | [[Khujjuttarā]] [[attained]] the [[first stage of enlightenment]] and [[Bhaddiya]] became | + | [[Khujjuttarā]] [[attained]] the [[first stage of enlightenment]] and [[Bhaddiya]] became [[fully enlightened]] (S.II,279). Clearly, being {{Wiki|physically}} disabled is no barrier to [[spiritual]] [[attainment]]. |
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| + | The [[Buddha]] made it an offense for [[monks]] or [[nuns]] to mimic [[physical disabilities]] ([[yathāvajjena kīḷanti]], Vin.III,179). | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=108 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=108 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:09, 5 January 2016
Being disabled is the state of being physically or mentally less developed or incomplete. Some misinformed Buddhists believe that to be disabled must be the result of having done something negative in a former life.
Such a belief is a good example of what can be called kammic naivety.
Positive or negative kamma manifests itself as either positive or negative feelings. In reality, a person with a physical handicap can be as happy as a fully developed person, sometimes more so.
It has likewise been observed that people with Downs Syndrome are often gentle, loving and innocent, in stark contrast to some ‘normal’ people. We may see a disabled person and think: ‘I would not like to be like that’ but our own feelings are no indicator of theirs.
It is quite possible that a disabled person could accept their condition and be happy, content and fulfilled. This being so, it is an unsafe generalization to say that being physically or mentally disabled is the result of having done something negative in the past.
Science has demonstrated that most disabilities are due to a genetic fault and thus from the perspective of Buddhist doctrine, have their cause in biological and physical laws (bījaniyāma and utuniyāma), not kamma.
Some of the Buddha’s disciples were physically disabled – Khujjuttarā was a hunchback and Bhaddiya was a dwarf. The first was praised by the Buddha for her great learning (A.I,26) and the second for his beautiful voice.
Khujjuttarā attained the first stage of enlightenment and Bhaddiya became fully enlightened (S.II,279). Clearly, being physically disabled is no barrier to spiritual attainment.
The Buddha made it an offense for monks or nuns to mimic physical disabilities (yathāvajjena kīḷanti, Vin.III,179).
