In the Theravadin exegetical tradition, the notion that intentionally killing a living being is wrong involves a claim that when certain mental states (such as compassion) are present in the mind, it is simply impossible that one could act in certain ways (such as to intentionally kill). Contrary to what Keown has claimed, the only criterion for judging whether an act is "moral" (kusala) or "immoral" (akusala) in Indian systematic Buddhist thought is the quality of the intention that motivates it. The idea that killing a living being might be a solution to the problem of suffering runs counter to the Buddhist emphasis on dukkha as a reality that must be understood. The cultivation of friendliness in the face of suffering is seen as something that can bring beneficial effects for self and others in a situation where it might seem that compassion should lead one to kill.
目次
Killing and Buddhist Ethics 167 The Vinaya Rules 169 The Commentarial Discussion 171 The Intention to Kill: The Abhidhamma Perspective 174 Compassion as a Motive for Killing 178 The Significance of Metta 185 Beyond the Theravada: The Sarvastivada and the Upayakausalya Sutra 188 Conclusion 189 Abbreviations 190 Notes 193
