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When I first took refuge I thought that I would not kill humans but I could still maim them if need be and that would be it. But later I learned the deeper meaning of equanamity and compassion in buddhism. I don't think it is possible to not be a killer. Just turning on hot water kills billions of little critters! In buddhism I was taught that if you are not aware of killing, the karmic result is not full and less. So it rewards ignorance because there was no intent. And sometimes killing is okay according to Karthar Rinpoche if there is a murderer entering a boat of bodhisattvas and his intent is to kill them all.
But I am not talking about being a noble bodhisattva protector killer, I am talking about bugs mostly. And I am concerned about my victims. I live in rural florida and they are everywhere! I went a year without killing any bugs intentionally. Then they got real bad and a tulku's momma told me it was okay to kill pesky bugs if you say chenrezig mantra before doing it. Other tibetan teachers told me that she was terribly mistaken!
What I do now is circle a stupa around the border of yard before I mow. Or circle a stupa around a victim before I have to kill it. I was just wondering if anyone had any better skillful advice since I don't know phowa yet. Thanks.
But I am not talking about being a noble bodhisattva protector killer, I am talking about bugs mostly. And I am concerned about my victims. I live in rural florida and they are everywhere! I went a year without killing any bugs intentionally. Then they got real bad and a tulku's momma told me it was okay to kill pesky bugs if you say chenrezig mantra before doing it. Other tibetan teachers told me that she was terribly mistaken!
What I do now is circle a stupa around the border of yard before I mow. Or circle a stupa around a victim before I have to kill it. I was just wondering if anyone had any better skillful advice since I don't know phowa yet. Thanks.
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Re: How to be a skillful killer? :)
Sun, September 27, 2009 - 9:58 AMI used to put out bug poison bait and think that made it better because the bugs "commited suicide" but that isn't so I am afraid.
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Re: How to be a skillful killer? :)
Mon, September 28, 2009 - 5:43 AMWhat about putting out the bait and writing on it a prayer they can pass under to assist them in being born in a higher realm? Like the sanskrit prayer that in the windows even helps hungry ghosts to be born in higher realms? That way, your intention becomes to assist them in a higher rebirth? -
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Sloppy killer
Mon, September 28, 2009 - 8:49 AMI have had GOOD INTENT and really made others suffer before haven't you? I dunno perhaps I should just become a good christian, they have no problem with killing and suffering. Haha. Just kidding. I MUST learn phowa!
I doubt you can trap the spiders in my house! They are PSYCHIC and move at lightening speed! I used to dig up fireant beds and move them to woods, they just come back within a day and make huge beds! They will come in house and nibble on your toes if there are no crumbs! Can you trap a mosquito without squishing it? I squish them accidently just trying to brush them away. And rattlesnakes and gators, would you even want to trap them? I am not going out like the "crocodile hunter", I will have to trap them temporarily into a bardo if they choose to die and get near me or family.
It is funny, roaches were a BIG problem when I grew up in projects, all you got is a wall separating you from Jeffery Dahmer. They must not like me I never see them except the flying germans from outside sometimes or fat palmetto bugs in leaves.
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Re: How to be a skillful killer? :)
Sun, September 27, 2009 - 10:11 AMI stayed in a place with roaches and spent a lot of time rescuing them by putting them outside and wishing them well! lol Of course there became an infestation. -
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Re: How to be a skillful killer? :)
Sun, September 27, 2009 - 5:49 PMWe still manually remove all critters from our home.
We all kill millions of organisms without any knowledge or intention so its good to practice for them as well.
I know some folks who were at KTD when they had to spray for a cockroach infestation. KKR and BTR had special recordings made of a special prayer and played it for days...but there were huge trash cans of dead roaches when the exterminators were done spraying.
As far as the Bodhisattva vows regarding having to kill in order to save others....my teachers have always said simply "don't kill but if you ever have to to save others you will know what to do at that time". (treating each situation on a case-by-case basis with no steadfast exceptions).
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Re: How to be a skillful killer? :)
Mon, September 28, 2009 - 8:53 AMI am sorry, I have only wished roaches to hell in past! -
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Mon, September 28, 2009 - 10:22 AMPerhaps many others have wished roaches, spiders, scorpions, fire ants, mosquitoes, gators, and rattlesnakes to hell before killing them and that is why so many demons look like them?
I am wanting to send them to buddha-field if I must kill. Supposedly a stupa image seen once can liberate or cause for seed of liberation like a snowball-to-avalanche effect. I guess "empowerment" or "transmission" is needed for phowa? -
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Mon, September 28, 2009 - 10:41 AMNever thought about how demons have been portrayed but I can say scorpions can also be protectors.
Regarding Phowa, yes, there is transmission and instruction but you dont have to be the one performing the Phowa. Phowa is not limited by distance/space and you can request others to perform for your loved ones.
If you don't know someone, There are even temples in India that will perform prayers and practices several thousands of times over for a small donation via an internet request.
ps-mani mantras are good for all animals whether living or recently deceased.
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Mon, September 28, 2009 - 1:13 PMThanks, but I have been failed when I rely on others. Wet paper bags can be protectors too! I am the poor fix it yourself type, guru-less and madly insane.
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Re: How to be a skillful killer? :)
Mon, September 28, 2009 - 10:02 PMI think it is important to realize that we cannot even take a breath without killing somehow. Every step we take ends the lives of thousands (if not millions) of little insects and other microbes. It is nearly impossible to obtain food that is not somehow contaminated with insect life. This fact of life has even made its way into the laws which govern the Food & Drug Administration. There is a certain "safe" percentage of insects & insect parts which are allowed in our food products. Have you eaten an apple? Well, you just consumed diptera (fly) eggs. Eat a bagel? Well, there was likely moth & beetle larvae (and parts) in there.
The issue then becomes, not whether or not it is acceptable to kill (it is obvious, it inevitably happens) but how we decide which lives that are taken are acceptable losses. Philosophically speaking, how can we determine which life is more deserved to live than another? Are we making the decision that the deaths of millions of insects and other microbes are acceptable losses? Are insects such a lowly life form, that they do not deserve a second thought when they are killed?
I am a vegetarian and have been vegan on occasion...cheese...oh blessed cheese....keeps calling me back...as does ice cream. I have often played that little game with myself (and others) in which we decide what we would and would not eat, depending upon the situation. Your average Tibetan is not a vegetarian. It is my understanding that vegetarianism is restricted to the monastic life (correct me if I am wrong, please). It is simply too difficult (not to mention profoundly unhealthy) for someone living at the top of the world to eliminate meat from their diet. However, in a society such as my own, it is a reasonable and healthy option for my dining lifestyle.
Now that I write this, I see that it doesn't really answer your question LLDD, but I hope it at least adds to the conversation. -
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Tue, September 29, 2009 - 12:54 AMYou are a very lovely addition to the conversation Devon. Thank you for your views. I should lovingly share my space without purposefully killing. Even those that cause harm. -
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Tue, September 29, 2009 - 10:50 AMAt least expressing some cow "lady-lumps" for cheese and ice-cream doesn't kill.
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