hasunoha

How do you think life weighs the same

Thank you so much as always.
Let me ask you a question related to the dog that died due to my own fault this time as well.

I've asked this question many times until now,
I made my favorite dog sick a year ago because of my own fault, did the exact opposite of what the vet said to me out of selfish assumptions, and committed a deadly crime that made the disease progress, weaken, and cause death.
After that, I visited Hasunoha every day, got answers from monks to other people's questions, and asked questions myself
I vowed to “cherish every life.”
We try not to kill insects, etc., and our food is appreciated every time.
But at the end of the day, it's just my top side.
The weight of life is the same for everyone, even if you think so,
I don't really care if I hit a small bug flying in large numbers with my car, but if I hit a person, it would be a legal crime, so that's bigger...
Even if I think so, I can't understand it.

When did the monks start and how did they all start to think that the weight of life is equal?
I really feel sorry for myself for not being able to think that life is equal, even though my dog has made me notice it.

3 Zen Responses

Now it's enough just to understand it with your head

You are understood in your head that life is equal.
That's great, and that's enough for now.
We have worries and obsessions, and we treat creatures we are attached to differently from others, and we feel likes and dislikes about life.
Those of us who are not enlightened like the Buddha have such afflictions. That, too, is a reality.
Someday, we too will pass away in the Pure Land of Paradise and reach a state of enlightenment.
At that time, you will be able to take care of all lives equally.
Those of us who haven't attained Buddhism yet will pass for now if we understand it with our heads.

About the preciousness and dignity of life

I read it.
Thank you for your very kind question. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Well, even if you know in your head that life is equally important and precious, there are times when you don't think that way in your daily life.
It is said that life is precious, but we exterminate pests and eat the lives of plants and animals every day. That really shouldn't be a matter of course, but I take it for granted every day.
I think it's really important that you were able to know the preciousness of life through your dog's life and living together. The preciousness and irreplaceable nature of life that you were able to actually feel in your relationship with that child is also proof that that child lived, and it is the presence of life deeply engraved in your heart.
There are differences in the length of time and size of living things, but they all work hard to live the lives they have been given. They are risking their lives in order to live on each of them. It's really precious.
I think that can also be said for myself.
Living is all very difficult, things don't go well easily, and it's hard to live a truly fulfilled life.
Also, until you lose something important, you don't know its true value or gratitude.
Therefore, as we live every day, I think we will come to know the preciousness and importance of life through firsthand experience.
The Buddha, gods, and ancestors kindly watch over us and guide us like that.
I also really saw off a number of important people and things. Among them, I was able to learn firsthand about myself, the people around me, and the importance of everything.
I sincerely pray to Buddha, God, and your ancestors that you will continue to be blessed with wonderful relationships and cherish them from the bottom of your heart, know firsthand the dignity and gratitude of life, and live a rich and fulfilling life from the bottom of your heart in that connection.
I'm sure you'll live in a relationship with that child for a long time to come.

Existence is equal, but there is no need to treat them equally

“Life is equal”
I personally think this word is extremely dangerous.

This is because if there are two lives in danger right in front of you, and only one can be saved, if one is another person and the other is a pet dog, how many people don't prioritize their pet dog?
Are there people who belong to Buddhism who can say that the lives of themselves and the Buddha are “of the same weight”?
Even if the monk himself doesn't kill the mosquitoes, the bugs die in the rice paddies if they eat rice.

This word
Even if it means “start at the same time like running 100 meters,”
Nor does it mean “all pebbles and jewels are of equal value.”

It means “just as you value your own life, your partner also values their partner's life.”
Those who value their lives are themselves and those around them.
The person who values the other person's life is the other person and the people around them.

My dog has an owner, but fruit flies don't.
Value is determined by connections with others, so if the “weight” of life means “value,” the life of a fruit fly is extremely light.

However, “so it's okay to kill” isn't normal, is it?
All you need to do is “try not to actively kill.”
All you need to do is recognize that “your opponent also has a life.”

So, there's nothing wrong with your way of thinking.
If you worry too much, your most important life will be shortened.
I think we can cherish every kind of life if we are conscious of living a little more carefree.