The Death Penalty

(Picture courtesy of Blogger CK Hon)

Question:(Unedited)
Having mixed emotions concerning the death penalty, what is the Buddhist thoughts on this?

My comment:

Thank you for asking me.

The first of the 5 precepts which Buddhists follow is that of refraining from killing. It is very clear that killing a being (any being for that matter, let alone a human being) is an unwholesome act. No being likes to be killed. Everyone is afraid of being killed. The natural law of cause and effect rules supreme; that an unwholesome act will definitely produce an unwholesome result, sooner or later. Buddhists believe in this universal law of cause and effect. Once we understand this eternal law, we are more "forgiving" knowing that no one can escape any evil deed.

Coming back to capital punishment, this is man-made law; to bring to focus that crime does not pay, here and now, if one is caught. The question is : do we want to play god? or do we want to be all-compassionate? In this worldly affair it is always a very difficult decision.

Walking on a tight rope.

Picture from CK Hon's blog (Hong Tu Di or Red Soil Earth，
which is situated some 160 km from Kunming
in the province of Yunnan.)

Question:(Unedited)
hello Justin, it has been a long time since I asked a quesion.
I hope you are well and healthy. As you remember, I work as a paramedic, helping people all day is what I love to do. However, there are days when there is so much to do, we are so busy, that I feel overwhelmed and even frustrated at always having to rush out and help someone when my stomach is so hungry, or I really need to go to the bathroom, or I am just too tired to move after a long day. I keep thinking about the buddhist saying ," always have a concern for other's needs first". But certainly a balance is needed, I cannot help others if I am tired and hungry and cannot do my job. Would you agree that there is a need to be selfish sometimes?

Take care my friend I hope you are well.

My comment:

Hi G.....,

I am very happy to hear from you again and to know that you are well. You are always in my mind and I will never forget you. I am well too.

AS you have very aptly put it in your "subject" heading as "Balance". Yes, you need to strike a balance in your life. You know the Chinese Tao symbol of "Ying and Yang"? It signifies a balance of the opposites; the harmony of apparent contradictions. You need to know darkness in order to understand brightness. You need silence in order to know sound. There is good and bad in this imperfect world. In order to survive we have to do a lot of unwholesome things. It is the survival of the fittest. So you need to be fit in order to survive, so as to help others in return. By taking good care of yourself is not being selfish but being realistic.

We are all walking on a tight rope. We need to adjust the pole to balance ourselves so that we do not fall. This is called skilful living. You have lived right. Please continue helping others. As I said before, you are a very lucky man; you get paid for helping others and saving lives.

Thank you for coming back. Smile from justinchoo :-)

Happy Wesak

(My favourite painting from a Burmese artist)

To-day is the full moon day of the month of Vesakha which corresponds with the month of May.
It is Wesak Day, the day The Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and the day he passed away.

Buddhists observed this day with gratitude to the Buddha for what he has taught us:

To live in peace with oneself, with the society and with nature.

Life comes in a package.

(Beautiful picture by another Blogger)

Question:(Unedited)
I am very interested in becoming a buddhist. I would like to ask you a question on a subject that I have read extensively. I notice that a buddhist prevents badness by adopting the beliefs but how does one remove bad things that one has done in their life. Can one be forgiven.

My comment:
Hi J......., Thank you for asking me; and welcome to the path of truth and inner peace. The Buddha taught universal truths which transcend race, nationality, culture, time and space. What he taught was applicable to everyone irrespective of whether the person believed or not because his teachings were based on universal truths.

The most important message by the Buddha was that we are the result of what we were; and we will be the result of what we are. This is the central concept of "kamma", which is "volition actions"; actions which are done on purpose. "Actions" does not only mean bodily actions, but can also be in the form of speech and thoughts. Whatever actions or kamma that we have commited cannot be undone. That is why Buddhists are very careful with their actions. The universal law of kamma rules supreme. It is neither moral or immoral, but amoral. It is non discriminative in nature. It is only the actions that count. In simple language, good actions beget good results; and bad actions bring sorrow.

All of us have to pay for our bad actions; while at the same time we do enjoy some happiness because of our good actions. Life comes in a package. The only way to "rid" our bad kamma is to start living right, from now on. The more good kamma we contribute, the more positive results we experience. It is just like diluting a salty water with more plain water until the water becomes pure. In the meantime we will continue to experience good and bad results. That is why we see suffering and at the same time happiness during the lifetime of a person. Those who enjoy their lives from day one until the end, are blessed with the results of past good kamma. While on the other extreme end, there are those who suffer from day one until they die.

We can forgive anyone; but that is not going to change his fate. If we want to be forgiven, we have to "forgive" ourselves by feeling remorse for the bad things that we have done, and to start living a harmless and wholesome life from now on. In this way, we will experience an inner peace, knowing that we are now following the right path.

Have peace; and smile from justinchoo :-)

Think with your head, not heart.

(Picture from another Blogger)

Question: (Unedited)
let me thank you beforehand you read my question.

Four years ago, I fell in love with a boy who is just one year older to me and I met him at my office where I got my first job. Even though I had a few closer male FRIENDS, he was my first love. He was a muslim. But I never worried about it as I always believed all "human" are of same spiecies. But it is a fatal mistake one may ever do..to marry a person of another religion in my country. We had our affair so deeper and I almost treated him as my "own son"...thats how I can best explain it! we both resigned after few months and after another few months he wentback to his hometown and engaged in his own business. After his mother came to know our affair she had made him promise not to continue our affair and gradually he stopped all contacts with me. besides mother's request I must tell you that he always used to suspect me. unfortunately inspite of my innocence I got accused by many a people worsening the situation.

What so ever....it had been nearly 3 years since we were together last. But day by day...my love for him kept growing....the more he went apart..the more stronger I loved him. I really do not bother if he still loves me or not...all i want is his happiness... I am the only girl in my family and my parents keep lots of hopes on me...im 24 years old now and they highly worring over a marriage for me... But....in my mind I've already accepted my lover as my husband, son and everything! So...im helpless.....I simply cant marry anyone else..yet my lover will not marry me either. I do not do all these purposefully....simply it is impossible for me to think of another man! My question is....Am I commiting a sin by dissapointing my parents and is there no value for the bonds like mine? Please anwer me....I will be grateful to you if ytou reply me.

My comment:
Hi A...,

Thank you for asking me. It would be easier for me to comment if you reveal your locality and race/nationality. You see, your relationship would have different consequences depending on which race and region you are in.

This is a Buddhist site, not a counselling one; but I do appreciate your trust and confidence in this site. I shall try my best as a Buddhist, to share my thoughts with you. First let me share my personal experience with you. I have a daughter the same age as you. As parents, both my wife and I have high hopes for her. But things did not work out to be so sweet and pleasent. We have our problems and we worry sick day and night, and "pray" for the good "angels" (devas) to protect her and her baby, and hope that she will be a responsible mother.

Same with your parents. I am sure your parents will want what is good for you, and it is up to you to make good things happen. You have to be strong and wise to decide what is right and what is wrong, and to pursue the right course of action and leave the wrong ones behind, no matter how difficult it may be.

You have the wisdom to find this site and the humility to seek answers. Now is the time for you to use your "head" and not your "heart" to make the right choice. Do not play with fire! If you are not satisfied with my answer please come back.

Time will heal the wounds. Take the right step and have courage. Think of your parents too.

I am still not awakened!

(Picture courtesy of another blogger)

Question: (Unedited)

Justin,
Have you attained moksha/awakening? I've had a very meaningful dialogue with a Zen teacher who is awakened, and I'm looking for a different perspective on Buddhism. However, I'm pursuaded that answers from someone who is not awakened would be of little benefit to me.


My comment:
Hi,

I am sorry to disappoint you as what I am going to say “would be of little benefit to you” because I have not attained moksha, not that I want to.

Please be very careful when you trust anyone who claimed to be somebody or have attained something. If in the future you found that he is not as claimed you would be very disappointed and shattered.

The Buddha taught truth and peace. To have inner peace, we just need to reduce our greed, hatred and delusion.


______________________________________________________________

This is a Follow-up comment by the questioner: (unedited)

Forgive me, Justin, but that's the most fatuous answer I ever heard. Why would a Buddhist EVER deny interest in attaining an awakened state?

Every Buddhist guru I've encountered (including my Zen teacher to a degree)likes to engage in dis-ing other dharmas. But to imply that you don't want to awaken is absurd in the extreme.


My comment: Hi,

Your comments noted with thanks.

---------------------------------------------------------------

By the way "fatuous" from Dictionary.com means:

fat⋅u⋅ous

   /ˈfætʃuəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fach-oo-uhs] Show IPA

–adjective

1.	foolish or inane, esp. in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly.

2.	unreal; illusory.

---

Origin:
1625–35; < class="ital-inline">fatuus silly, foolish, idiotic; see -ous

Related forms:

fat⋅u⋅ous⋅ly, adverb

fat⋅u⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. dense, dull, dim-witted. See foolish.

Danger of being very clever.

Picture from my fellow blogger

Question:(unedited):
Hello, I am doing a speech for a class in which I must persuade people as to what a person is.

What are the Buddist teachings on this? What makes someone a person? Also, on a related topic, what parts of Buddist teaching could be applied to abortion?


My comment:

Thank you for asking me.

I don't understand what you mean by "persuading people as to what a person is". Maybe you mean to persuade people to follow certain behaviour. Or you may be asking about the Buddhist concept of what constitute a person.

For the first meaning, I would say the Buddha advised all to live a harmless life. Just imagine if all of us decide to live a harmless life, will there be any trouble? But in reality not many want to live a harmless life because there is always greed and hatred in all of us in various degree. We are by nature very unforgiving and very selfish. This is the cause of all our troubles.

As for the second meaning, physiologically, a person is no different from an animal. The only difference is in the conscious mind. Animals are guided by natural instincts. Man has a higher intelligence because of the mental consciousness enabling him to think and analyze. The danger is that he may be very intelligent, but lack the moral fibre to lead a harmless life. He may use his cleverness to harm others. This is the tragedy of the human species.

Without going into critical analysis of this sensitive issue of abortion, generally speaking, abortion is the termination of life on purpose. In Buddhist teachings, termination of life on purpose is not wholesome. If we follow a good moral life-style we will not face the problem of abortion.

Smile from justinchoo :-)