Dhamma Discussion

Proper conduct for true Buddhists

by Sajitha Prematunge

[email protected]

In Buddhism discussion of the Dhamma has been considered a vital part of the study and understanding of the Dhamma. However this is rarely done today. In instances where most Buddhists congregate, such as temples on poya days, they idle away the time.

If the excess time had been used for discussions based on the Dhamma, it would not only make up for the excess time, it would also benefit the upasaka (lay adherent) by expanding their knowledge in the Dhamma. Dhamma Discussion is solely for the benefit of our readers.

Any questions our readers may have regarding the Dhamma may be addressed to Dhamma Discussion, Sunday Observer, Lake House, 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10 or [email protected] with ‘Dhamma Discussion’ as the subject line so that your questions can be directed to the appropriate individuals.

Answers provided by Ven. Thalpavila Kusalagnana Thera.

Q: For a Buddhist is it a sin to consume meat?

A: According to Buddhist doctrine consuming meat is not seen as a sin, but killing is. However if one sees consuming meat as something loathsome, or if it acts as an obstacle for meditation and other religious activities, one should refrain from consuming it. But it is best to minimise consumption of meat for various health issues.

The Buddha has advised that one should refrain from consuming meat under three circumstances. If one has seen, heard, or even so munch as had a hint to indicate that it had been killed, for his or her consumption, that person should refrain from consuming the meat.

Moreover in the Bhesajjakkhandhaka of Mahawaggapali in the Vinaya Pitaka it is said that human meat, tuskers meat, Horse meat, dog meat, snake meat, lion meat, leopard meat, tiger meat, bear meat and meat of bears with black heads must not be consumed. However those who consume meat must not rebuke those who do and vice-versa.

Q: Some Buddhists believe that it is permisable to consume beverages with a lesser amount of alcohol like beer or to use alcohol as medicine, according to the Buddhist doctrine is this permisable?

A: The fifth precept, ‘sura’ refers to alcoholic beverages and narcotics made of flour, rice or sweets. ‘Meraya’ refers to narcotics and alcoholic beverages made of flowers and fruits. The characteristic of these beverages and narcotics is cause of ‘majja’ (intoxication), ‘pamada’ (heedlessness)

Consequently all alcoholic beverages and narcotics of today fall into this category. No matter what sort of excuses are given by the people who consume these, whether that it is in moderate consumption or that it contains a lesser amount of alcohol one would be breaking the precept; because all alcoholic beverages and narcotics, in however small amounts, contain the above characteristics.

The Buddha has said that, in order for one to break the fifth precept, one should ingest a narcotic or an alcoholic beverage. Consequently consuming in small amounts is not an excuse.

Giving alcoholic drinks in small amounts to children as medicine can have irrevocable consequences. Something that starts as an innocent gesture may end up as the child growing up to be an alcoholic. Any illness requires the administering of proper medication, not intoxication of the child.

Q: Is it best to worship the triple gem by using Pali stanzas that one can not comprehend or is it best to worship by thought alone?

A: Going to the temple and worshipping the sacred Bo tree, Dagaba and the Buddha statue has been an important custom of the Buddhists, from time immemorial. It has greater energy when one speaks something out loud, than merely thinking it.

So the best would be to grasp the meaning of the Pali stanzas, while chanting them out loud, with deep reverence.

This will not only benefit you, but also the people around you who may listen to you and acquire merits themselves, by generating reverence.Today because some can not grasp the Pali meaning, they tend to chant Pali verses and Pirith which have been translated to Sinhala.

This is extremely unfortunate. Pali is the language of the Buddhas. Instead of letting it die, its a Buddhists duty to preserve it. Instead of chanting translated Sinhala verses due to laziness, one must always make an attempt to grasp the meaning of the Pali stanzas and chant them out loud.

Q: Does one commit a sin by telling a ‘white lie’?

A: The concept of the ‘white lie’ has been fabricated to justify lying. Most lie to overcome a disadvantage or gain an advantage over something. A lie intended for the benefit of someone may have adverse long term consequences.

For example if a parent scares a child saying that the boogie man will take the child away if he or she does not eat, the child perhaps even after growing up may turn into a freak, secluding himself from the rest of society. Ultimately the lie that was meant to do good would have extremely harmful consequences.

According to Buddhist doctrine a person would be breaking the forth precept if five factors are fulfilled. The statement must be a lie, having the intension of deceiving someone, Lying by way of stating it, writing it down or by any method implying it while, another must be deceived by the lie.

Consequently any lie that has the intension of deceiving someone can not be good. The Buddha has pointed out that being born with a smelling disfigured mouth and no one taking the persons word seriously, as just a few of the repercussions of lying.

Q: Normally people acquire merits and bestow them on gods. But in some temples statues of gods are erected and worshipped. Is this a proper conduct for a true Buddhist?

A: It has been mentioned in the Sakka Namassana Suthra of the Dewatha Sanyuktha that the virtuous lay person is worshipped by even the god Sakra. It is also mentioned that people who acquire merits and bestow them on god are in turn blessed by them.

Consequently the manner in which the blessings of the god can be secured is clear. Therefore worshipping them, making vows and offerings will be of no benefit. This will only reinforce superstition.

The Buddha has stated five things that no amount of praying could bestow - longevity, complexion, luxury, wealth and heaven. But these are the very things that people ask for from gods.

Whether one hopes that an illness can be overcome, wishes that a person may get through an exam, or asks for a promotion, they are all included in the above five factors.

It’s not difficult to secure the blessings of the gods, but there is a proper method. Which is to observe sil, fulfil ones duties and live by the good. Such people are not only constantly guarded by the gods but by nature as well.