Question asked by Maryin Hopkirk
Dear Pastors
I m curious to see some images of immolation of monks on websites:
1 is this act something which is acceptable in Buddhism
2 can they eject their consciousness from their body before the fire engulfed their bodies
3 is this a acceptable act of sacrifice for a greater good?
Thank you for your time
Dear Maryin Hopkirk,
Thank you for your question. Self-immolation is an extreme measure taken by people who feel so strongly about a certain issue that they are willing to end their life in a violent manner to make their point heard.
From a Buddhist perspective, we have to examine not only the act but also the motivation behind the act. For example, within Buddhism the taking of a life, including your own life, has serious karmic consequences and as such is considered a non-virtue. However even such a non-virtuous act, if motivated by compassion and noble state of mind, can lead to a very powerful accumulation of merit.
In the Lam Rim texts there is a story that is often mentioned. This story is of a previous life of Buddha Shakyamuni. In that life he was called Mahasattva and worked as a ship’s captain. During one expedition, he ferried 500 traders across the sea. These traders were on their way to acquire very precious gemstones. On board was also another man named Kalashakti who was planning to kill the traders on the return journey and take the gemstones for himself. Generating great compassion, Mahasattva killed Kalashakti. As a result he saved the 500 traders from being killed but actually also saved Kalashakti from committing a non-virtuous action, for which he would bear the karmic consequences in the future. He had saved from Kalashakti from having to take rebirth in the three lower realms.
The act of taking a life, whether another’s or one’s own cannot be a meritorious action. However Mahasattva, did actually generate a tremendous amount of merit as well. This was due to his motivation of great compassion for both those that were to be harmed (the traders) and the one who was to harm them (Kalashakti). Therefore what is most important is one’s motivation.
Applying this to the case of self-immolation, it is not simply about the act being ‘acceptable’ or not, but rather if the act is beneficial or not. Obviously the act itself generates negative karma, but depending on the motivation it could also generate merit as well. Actions within Buddhism are not only judged on the act alone but also the motivation. So there are many factors to consider when judging an action.
There are indeed practices in which a practitioner can eject their consciousness out of their body to a pure land or another body. These are called Powa practices, in which a practitioner trains themselves to be able to do so, either at the time of death or when then need to. In the case of self-immolations, it is very possible that the monks would be able to eject their consciousness if they had received the proper empowerments, teachings and engaged in the practices necessary to be able to do so.
According to Buddhism, self-sacrifice for the greater good is ‘acceptable’. However one needs to understand what this greater good is. If this greater good is to save others from being harmed or harming others, as in the story of Mahasattva mentioned earlier, then it is good. If however it is for other reasons that do not ultimately benefit anyone, then it would obviously not be ‘acceptable’. The action is still the taking of a life but can further reaching consequences than just one life. As in the case of Mahasattva, who saved Kalashakti from falling to a lower rebirth. I hope this helps.
Thank you.