Difference between revisions of "Birth Control and Abortion"
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | Although man has freedom to plan his family according to his own convenience, [[abortion]] is not justifiable. | + | Although man has freedom to plan his [[family]] according to his [[own]] convenience, [[abortion]] is not justifiable. |
| − | There is no [[reason]] for [[Buddhists]] to oppose [[birth]] control. They are at liberty to use any of the old or {{Wiki|modern}} measures to prevent {{Wiki|conception}}. Those who [[object]] to [[birth]] control by saying that it is against [[God’s]] law to practise it, must realise that their {{Wiki|concept}} regarding this issue is not reasonable. In [[birth]] control what is done is to prevent the coming into [[being]] of an [[existence]]. There is no killing involved and there is no [[akusala]] (bad) [[karma]]. But if they take any [[action]] to have an [[abortion]], this [[action]] is wrong because it involves taking away or destroying a [[visible]] or {{Wiki|invisible}} [[life]]. Therefore, [[abortion]] is not justifiable. | + | There is no [[reason]] for [[Buddhists]] to oppose [[birth]] control. They are at liberty to use any of the old or {{Wiki|modern}} measures to prevent {{Wiki|conception}}. Those who [[object]] to [[birth]] control by saying that it is against [[God’s]] law to practise it, must realise that their {{Wiki|concept}} regarding this issue is not reasonable. In [[birth]] control what is done is to prevent the coming into [[being]] of an [[existence]]. There is no {{Wiki|killing}} involved and there is no [[akusala]] (bad) [[karma]]. But if they take any [[action]] to have an [[abortion]], this [[action]] is wrong because it involves taking away or destroying a [[visible]] or {{Wiki|invisible}} [[life]]. Therefore, [[abortion]] is not justifiable. |
| − | According to the [[Teachings of the Buddha]], five [[conditions]] must be {{Wiki|present}} to constitute the [[evil]] act of killing. They are: | + | According to the [[Teachings of the Buddha]], five [[conditions]] must be {{Wiki|present}} to constitute the [[evil]] act of {{Wiki|killing}}. They are: |
1) a [[living being]] | 1) a [[living being]] | ||
2) [[knowledge]] or [[awareness]] it is a [[living being]] | 2) [[knowledge]] or [[awareness]] it is a [[living being]] | ||
| − | 3) {{Wiki|intention}} of killing | + | 3) {{Wiki|intention}} of {{Wiki|killing}} |
4) [[effort]] to kill, and | 4) [[effort]] to kill, and | ||
5) consequent [[death]] | 5) consequent [[death]] | ||
| − | When a {{Wiki|female}} conceives, there is a [[being]] in her [[womb]] and this fulfils the first [[condition]]. After a couple of months, she [[knows]] that there is a new [[life]] within her and this satisfies the second [[condition]]. Then for some [[reason]] or other, she wants to do away with this [[being]] in her. So she begins to search for an abortionist to do the job and in this way, the third [[condition]] is fulfilled. When the abortionist does his job, the fourth [[condition]] is provided for and finally, the [[being]] is killed because of that [[action]]. So all the [[conditions]] are {{Wiki|present}}. In this way, there is a violation of the First [[Precept]] - not to kill, and this is tantamount to killing a [[human being]]. According to [[Buddhism]], there is no ground to say that we have the right to take away the [[life]] of another. | + | When a {{Wiki|female}} conceives, there is a [[being]] in her [[womb]] and this fulfils the first [[condition]]. After a couple of months, she [[knows]] that there is a new [[life]] within her and this satisfies the second [[condition]]. Then for some [[reason]] or other, she wants to do away with this [[being]] in her. So she begins to search for an abortionist to do the job and in this way, the third [[condition]] is fulfilled. When the abortionist does his job, the fourth [[condition]] is provided for and finally, the [[being]] is killed because of that [[action]]. So all the [[conditions]] are {{Wiki|present}}. In this way, there is a {{Wiki|violation}} of the First [[Precept]] - not to kill, and this is tantamount to {{Wiki|killing}} a [[human being]]. According to [[Buddhism]], there is no ground to say that we have the right to take away the [[life]] of another. |
| − | Under certain circumstances, [[people]] [[feel]] compelled to do that for their own convenience. But they should not justify this act of [[abortion]] as somehow or other they will have to face some sort of bad [[karmic]] results. In certain countries [[abortion]] is legalised, but this is to overcome some problems. [[Religious]] {{Wiki|principles}} should never be surrendered for the [[pleasure]] of man. They stand for the {{Wiki|welfare}} of the whole mankind. | + | Under certain circumstances, [[people]] [[feel]] compelled to do that for their [[own]] convenience. But they should not justify this act of [[abortion]] as somehow or other they will have to face some sort of bad [[karmic]] results. In certain countries [[abortion]] is legalised, but this is to overcome some problems. [[Religious]] {{Wiki|principles}} should never be surrendered for the [[pleasure]] of man. They stand for the {{Wiki|welfare}} of the whole mankind. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:22, 25 March 2016
Although man has freedom to plan his family according to his own convenience, abortion is not justifiable.
There is no reason for Buddhists to oppose birth control. They are at liberty to use any of the old or modern measures to prevent conception. Those who object to birth control by saying that it is against God’s law to practise it, must realise that their concept regarding this issue is not reasonable. In birth control what is done is to prevent the coming into being of an existence. There is no killing involved and there is no akusala (bad) karma. But if they take any action to have an abortion, this action is wrong because it involves taking away or destroying a visible or invisible life. Therefore, abortion is not justifiable.
According to the Teachings of the Buddha, five conditions must be present to constitute the evil act of killing. They are:
1) a living being
2) knowledge or awareness it is a living being
3) intention of killing
4) effort to kill, and
5) consequent death
When a female conceives, there is a being in her womb and this fulfils the first condition. After a couple of months, she knows that there is a new life within her and this satisfies the second condition. Then for some reason or other, she wants to do away with this being in her. So she begins to search for an abortionist to do the job and in this way, the third condition is fulfilled. When the abortionist does his job, the fourth condition is provided for and finally, the being is killed because of that action. So all the conditions are present. In this way, there is a violation of the First Precept - not to kill, and this is tantamount to killing a human being. According to Buddhism, there is no ground to say that we have the right to take away the life of another.
Under certain circumstances, people feel compelled to do that for their own convenience. But they should not justify this act of abortion as somehow or other they will have to face some sort of bad karmic results. In certain countries abortion is legalised, but this is to overcome some problems. Religious principles should never be surrendered for the pleasure of man. They stand for the welfare of the whole mankind.
