I am just starting to look into Buddhism so there are some things that I'm still confused about.
First of all, isn't it kind of a paradox to use knowledge to end suffering? Doesn't knowledge lead to suffering in many cases?
Second question, if we are supposed to value all life equally, does that include the deceased? For example, since I'm in high school this relates to me I guess, if I am supposed to dissect a frog in a biology class, would it be wrong of me to do so because I should respect its life, or is it okay because it's dead? Don't get me wrong, I have no problem dissecting frogs- it's interesting, but, as a Buddhist, *should* I have a problem with it?
Buddhism is a Doy religion. Read and study the 8 fold path repeatedly and ponder and meditate on the lessons it has to teach. You must decide for yourself grasshopper.
Knowledge is the answer and as you understand more about universal truth , your life will heal and you will become a better person. When they are talking about value of life equally, they are referring to have respect for all life forms and do onto others as you would have them do onto you. This is basic . You may find it very helpful to start reading the teachings of Deepak Chopra.... he makes it all so much easier to learn this kind of information. Dr Wayne Dwyer is another good one that teaches this type of education ...get some good books..on these 2
1. Knowledge doesn't lead to suffering. It's all in how you use it. Look at nuclear fission. It can be used for atomic bombs (bad), or nuclear power (good - OK, it may not be perfect, but don't read too much into this).
2. If it's dead, it's not alive. I see respect for the dead, but more than one Buddhist author has advocated that eating meat is OK. Now you could go down the road and argue that the frog was killed for you to dissect, which would be another matter altogether. That's a decision you would have to make. If you have religious objections to dissection, they'll have to excuse you from it in school.
I'm not an ardent Buddhist, though I pray at Buddhist temples when I pass by one.
Knowlwdge broadens your horizon that helps you understand the reason of your suffering. If knowledge leads to suffering, that means that you are having a very narrow outlook and are too materialistic.
In fact I know a Swedish guy whose answers are quite authoritative. He has been a student of comparative religions. Just shoot down a mail to him and he will surely help you with your query.
knowledge of drama helps us understand how existence comes about & suffering thereof. on the second, for practical school lessons, it is acceptable to dissect dead frogs. not all Buddhists are vegetarians egg. the Tibetans are not since they lead pastoral life. nor is vegetarianism compulsory in Buddhism. only the Mahayana branch (esp in China) do they advise vegetarianism to show compassion for animals. if you watch videos on animal killings, you L see how animals fight for their lives to the last breath.
1. There are two types of knowledge:
One is the type you learn from others (someone told me that Jane kicked Tom).
One is the type that you get from first-hand experience (I see Jane kick Tom).
The Tibetan language uses different words for these two types of knowledge.
Buddhism deals with this second type of knowledge, the first-hand knowledge. This knowledge is generated from meditation and from the practices that you do while you move through your daily life. Over time (some years), understandings begin to dawn on you, and it is these understandings that slowly transform how you interact with the experience of being alive: the experiences of perception and emotion, physical sensations, your attachments and aversions, and how you respond to others.
Don't be too sure that knowledge leads to suffering. I used to teach the Lamaze Technique in prenatal classes, and these techniques (the knowledge of them) really DO reduce the pain of childbirth. Physical pain can definitely be moderated through the mind ... and psychological pain even more so.
2. A dead frog pinned on the dissection tray in your biology class is no longer alive. It is okay to dissect it. But if you had killed the frog in order to dissect it (even if you had pith ed it), you would be earning some negative karma from that act. Let your lab partner do the killing, if they are willing (some even seem to enjoy it ... sigh).
Two questions about Buddhism?
