On January 17, 527 CE the Chinese Buddhist monk Daodu retreated to his living quarters to meditate. Six days before, he gave 170 laypeople the bodhisattva precepts and formally ordained them into Mahāyāna Buddhist monks and nuns. Near the middle of the night, the distinct crackling of burning wood alerted the monastery. When the monks found the source of the noise, they discovered Daodu had self-immolated as a bodhisattva did in the Lotus Sutra (Benn, 2007, p. 2-3). Self-Immolation is described as “the offering of oneself as a sacrifice, especially by burning” ("Self-Immolation", 2016). While there are many examples of martyrdom in multiple religions, Buddhists seem to be the only ones frequently committing it in a contemporary setting. The …show more content…
In Benn’s (2007) book, he discusses “The Hungry Tigress”, a Jataka tale about a previous incarnation of the Buddha. The narrative talks about Prince Mahāsattva, who upon seeing an emaciated tigress decided to offer his body as food to the tigress. Before offering himself, he made a vow that his act of self-immolation is “for the benefit of all beings and to save all beings in the three realms” (p. 26). The prince’s intentions can be said for all incarnations of the Buddha who perform the act, in that they do it for the benefit of others. The issue with self-immolation for Buddhists is that it is difficult to tell whether they are doing the action for the individual benefit (such as the attainment of nirvāṇa) or out of pure compassion. According to Brendan Kelly (2011), the motivating factor for the self-sacrifice of the Bodhisattva is what dictates whether the act is rewarded with enlightenment (p. 306). If the reason for self-immolation is only for the benefit of the self, then it does not reflect the Eightfold Path, specifically right intention. Compassion is also the difference between self-immolation and suicide; suicide goes against Buddhist concepts of respect towards all life and produces negative karma because the act is essentially killing a living being. However, if self-immolation is performed with the motive of pure compassion, then …show more content…
The Chinese monk Daodu’s had a strong fascination with the Lotus Sutra chapter regarding the “Medicine King”, or the Bodhisattva Mahâsattva Sarvasattvapriyadarsana. The chapter focuses on the Medicine King lighting himself ablaze “with the object to pay worship to the Tathâgata and this Dharmaparyâya of the Lotus of the True Law” (Kern, 1884, p. 171). The Bodhisattva’s act was described in the chapter as “the sublimest gift”, which was superior to renouncing royalty or worshipping the Tathâgata. Daodu is believed to have taken inspiration from this chapter for his self-immolation, expressing that his body is similar to a “poisonous plant”; his wish to help the world by sacrificing his body refers back to the concept of compassion, but another reason is to display true devotion to the Tathâgata. The Lotus Sutra’s interpretation of setting oneself on fire is seen as the true act of worship, from which one is rewarded with enlightenment. Thích Quảng Đức used the act of self-immolation as well to alleviate the suffering of others in the form of political protest. Đức used self-immolation in order to increase awareness to the religious persecution in Vietnam, imposed by then-President Ngô Đình Diệm; his act was noticed internationally and was a catalyst for religious freedom in Vietnam (Kelly, 2011, p.
Faith in immediate salvation is presented, by Guanyin, to everyone undergoing or feeling pain. In China, something about the spiritual productiveness of the Lotus made known clearly in that writing by the Buddha was trialed and proven right. Every famous or known tale of Guanyin releasing prisoners and victims can be based upon Buddha’s one promise, which states, “Even if there is a man, whether guilty or guiltless, whose body is fettered with stocks, pillory, or chains, if he calls upon the name of the Bodhisattva He Who Observes the Sounds of the World, they shall all be severed and broken, and he shall straightway gain deliverance” (Benn). An example of Guanyin’s salvation is how he saved Liu Sahe. Before fifth century started, the story of Liu’s early life got so famous that it became a legend (Zürcher). Liu’s sinful life resulted in his descending into Hell (Zürcher). However, Guanyin eventually saved, converted, and resurrected Liu
“My ultimate aim is to make euthanasia a positive experience” (Jack Kevorkian). Of Mice of Men by John Steinbeck shows has a very dramatic ending with the main character George, killing the other main character Lennie. George and Lennie are great friends, but it had to happen. This quote connects to what happened with George and Lennie because George did the best he could to make the euthanasia a positive experience for Lennie. George did this to Lennie as a friend, and he knew he had to do it because of Lennie's previous actions. The act of George killing Lennie was an act of euthanasia rather than murder. More specifically it is an act of non voluntary euthanasia.
Yu, Han. “Memorial on Buddhism”. Making of the Modern World 12: Classical & Medieval Tradition. Trans. Richard F. Burton. Ed. Janet Smarr. La Jolla: University Readers, 2012. 111-112. Print.
Walking into the Hall of the Buddhas, there was a sense of peace and guidance lingering inside me. The seated Bodhisattva, of the Northern Wei dynasty (386-534), CA.480, from the Yungang, Cave xv, Shani Province, made of sandstone, guarded the entrance. At first, I thought it was a time to be disciplined, but the transcending smile from the statue was a delicate fixed gesture that offered a feeling of welcome. It was not a place to confess your wrongdoings; neither was it a place for me to say, “Buddha I have sinned.” It was a room to purify the mind, the mind that we take for granted without giving it harmony. There was a large mural decorating the main wall called “The Paradise of Bhaishajyaguru”(916-1125). I sat down wandering if the artist of the portrait knew that his work would one day be shared on this side of the world, in my time. Much like Jesus Christ and his followers, the mural is a painting of healers and saviors. It was a large figure of the Buddha of medicine, (Bhaishajyaquru) surrounded by followers of Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahosthamaprapta with twelve guardian generals who have pledged to disseminate the Buddha’s teaching (Tradition of Liao 916-1125, Metropolitan Museum wall plaque).
Topmiller, Robert J. The Lotus Unleashed: The Buddhist Peace Movement in South Vietnam, 1964-1966. Lexington, KY: U of Kentucky, 2002. Print.
Both the Buddhist monks and suicide bombers resort to violent means to try and enact a certain social change. The Buddhist monks that sacrificed their own lives believed they were just and right in fighting the religiously discriminatory government. If someone believes their fight is just and right and that their life is worth what they believe in, then violence on oneself in acts of civil disobedience is permissible. However, the actions of suicide bombers in the Middle East are not right because their suicides inhibit on the liberties of innocent people.
A man of noble birth, living in the time before the Common Era, preached a way to extinguish the fire of self-centered delusion. This state of Nirvana can be achieved by understanding The Four Noble Truths, suffering in life, he explains can be avoided by following an Eightfold Path. Sounds simple? This must have been an awaking for people of his time seeking a more personal religion, away from the rigidities of a priest-dominated Hinduism of India. The man, the Buddha, spent the rest of his life teaching the religion he discovered and its doctrine based upon his Dharma (cosmic law and order). The first written evidence of the existence of Buddhism is found over 400 years ago after the life of the Buddha. (Kozak) Historians pose the
Ashvaghosha’s Buddhacarita: The Life of the Buddha serves as one of the most relevant and profound texts regarding the Buddhist religion and it’s foundations. However, unlike other popular religious texts, this one does not serve as a historical document but rather a vessel for explaining the teachings of the Buddha, serving as a guide for the followers of the Enlightened One. Ashvaghosha’s descriptions of the Buddha, his life, and his actions provide an example of the Buddha’s disciplines and truths, giving his followers a detailed and structured idea of his way of life. The Buddhacarita’s descriptions in particular focus on the teaching of pervasive suffering, it’s causes, and the paths (both right and wrong) to breaking free from it.
In a world of suffering and pain the Dalai Lama said, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive”. The Dalai Lama has become a figurehead for Buddhism worldwide for his compassion and warm smiles. Buddhism has extended beyond meditation and even monks such as the Dalai Lama. The basic concepts of compassion and mindfulness in Buddhism are being applied in the daily lives of lay people who need it the most.
In Jasmine Syedullah “The Abolition of Whiteness”, she confesses to her readers that “one of the things that had drown me into buddhism was the notion of no self. I was fascinated by the prospect of being Jasmine and not being Jasmine.” (16) Most of the times we suffer so much with trying to find ourselves that we become something else. We lost the feeling of wholeness, the feeling of belonging to our own bodies, and the feeling of happiness. Self compassion can often be misunderstood as not being aware of anything else rather than our own dignities. But the importance of self-compassion is treating ourselves gently instead of being harsh and self-critical to please others expectations for them. It’s common to beat ourselves up for faults big and small. But being kind to yourself is not only providing comfort in the moment, it is also committing, whenever possible, to acknowledging that some things are past our control, we become better at coping with failure and whatever consequences our actions may have caused because we learn to have compassion towards ourselves no matter the
According to Immanuel Kant, a person has dignity that makes him autonomous. Thus, the decision of the autonomous patient to die has intrinsic value. Because patients are rational agent, they are able to make their own decision based on reason. A rational patient will reason that if continued existence is full of suffering and no-hope for better well-being, therefore, the best option is to discontinue his/her life to save him/herself from that future condition. It is the patient’s approach to manage his/her own life. Dan W. Brock is right in his article “Voluntary Active Euthanasia” when he said that, “self-determination [or autonomy] has fundamental value… [because]… individual [can] control the manner, circumstances, and timing of their dying and death” (75). The dignity of the patient lies in their “capacity to direct their lives” (Brock 75).
Thích Nh’at Hanh is a world renowned Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, religious figure and accomplished writer. Living Buddha, Living Christ is only one of his many famous publications. Thích Nh’at Hanh, is famous for his insights into spiritual heritage and mindfulness in the present moment. Many Americans are seeking religious understanding and personal spirituality, even if they do not practice in the traditional manner. Throughout this book Nh’at Hang encourages readers to find meaning, understanding, mindfulness, and peace in the teachings of Buddha and Christ. His main focus is to open meaningful dialogue between different traditions, cultures, and religious groups around the world, for the betterment
Terrence, Clifford. Diamo Healing: The Buddhist Medicine and Medical Psychiatry of Tibet. Motilal Banarsidass. 2003.
One of the Bodhisattva’s greatest attributes is his generosity and not just in the western version of the word of giving alms to the poor on holidays. Instead he would go to any length to aid someone and give them whatever they asked for even if he had to sacrifice his own body to give it to them. During the Buddha’s life as King Maitribala the power of his generosity acts as a talisman protecting his kingdom from the evils of the world. When to ogres require that he feeds them flesh and blood he offers his own body. He only feels pity for the ogres because they are “destroying their own best interests in this world and the next” (Sura 51).
Xuanzang was a highly educated Buddhist monk from China, who in 629 C.E. made the long and treacherous journey along the Silk Road to India. His main objectives in his sixteen years away from home were fundamentally religious; he only wanted to study more complete scriptures to answer questions he had, which he deemed unsolvable in his own country. It is important to understand Xuanzang’s own position within the Chinese society and the type of situation it was in: Chinese Buddhists had many disagreements