Difference between revisions of "Insanity"
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| − | Insanity (''ummatta'') is the state of being mentally ill to the stage of no longer being able to function properly in society. The Buddha described insanity as the faculties being deranged and no longer under the individual’s control (M.II,106). Intense and prolonged grief, fear, stress or frustration or a chemical malfunction within the brain can all cause insanity. The Buddha also said that thinking overly hard about things that cannot be known by thought can also make one, if not mad, then at least obsessive (S.V,446). Because of his deep knowledge of the human mind and his compassion, the Buddha realized that an insane person could not be held responsible for his or her actions and should not be punished for them. He also understood that a person might commit a crime while being temporally insane. In Buddhist monastic jurisprudence, the plea of | + | [[Insanity]] (''[[ummatta]]'') is the state of being [[mentally]] ill to the stage of no longer being able to function properly in society. The [[Buddha]] described [[insanity]] as the faculties being deranged and no longer under the individual’s control (M.II,106). Intense and prolonged [[grief]], {{Wiki|fear}}, [[stress]] or frustration or a chemical malfunction within the brain can all [[cause]] [[insanity]]. The [[Buddha]] also said that [[thinking]] overly hard about things that cannot be known by [[thought]] can also make one, if not mad, then at least obsessive (S.V,446). Because of his deep [[knowledge]] of the [[human]] [[mind]] and his [[compassion]], the [[Buddha]] [[realized]] that an insane person could not be held responsible for his or her actions and should not be punished for them. He also understood that a person might commit a [[crime]] while being temporally insane. In [[Buddhist]] [[monastic]] {{Wiki|jurisprudence}}, the plea of ‘{{Wiki|temporary insanity}}’ is considered a legitimate one (M.II,248). The plea of being innocent on account of [[insanity]] was not recognized in {{Wiki|English criminal law}} until the early 19th century. |
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[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=191 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=191 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | [[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | ||
Revision as of 04:39, 1 August 2013
Insanity (ummatta) is the state of being mentally ill to the stage of no longer being able to function properly in society. The Buddha described insanity as the faculties being deranged and no longer under the individual’s control (M.II,106). Intense and prolonged grief, fear, stress or frustration or a chemical malfunction within the brain can all cause insanity. The Buddha also said that thinking overly hard about things that cannot be known by thought can also make one, if not mad, then at least obsessive (S.V,446). Because of his deep knowledge of the human mind and his compassion, the Buddha realized that an insane person could not be held responsible for his or her actions and should not be punished for them. He also understood that a person might commit a crime while being temporally insane. In Buddhist monastic jurisprudence, the plea of ‘temporary insanity’ is considered a legitimate one (M.II,248). The plea of being innocent on account of insanity was not recognized in English criminal law until the early 19th century.
