The Paradox of Suicide in Academic Buddhist Perspective, Thai Buddhists’ Belief and Buddha’s Perspective

Abstract

Suicide is paradoxical issue of sin and not a sin because it is perceived as wrong in Dhamma, but not wrong in precepts. While suicide is reprimanded in some cases and not reprimanded in some other cases by the Buddha, Thai Buddhists believe that suicide is to be held as a ‘hard sin’ that involves going to hell after death. The analysis of suicide in the dimension of academic, Thai Buddhists’ belief and the Buddha’s perspective reveals that the Buddha’s perspective places more emphasis on the state of mind before death, notably the “bright mind” that excludes any thought of sin, desire or passion, rather than looking at actions and the death. Meanwhile, Thai Buddhists’ belief attends to the disadvantage of the “dim mind”, which points towards a mind filled with sadness, desire, and passion; causing for a journey to hell. The academic study emphasizes the meaning of precepts and Dhamma. While suicide is not wrong in Panatibat (to abstain from taking life of living beings), it is wrong in Dhamma, where suicide is seen as a strong desire of anger and Wiphawatanha (crave for non-existence).

            To avoid confliction, one should concentrate on the state of mind before death which is an essence of Buddhism and consider suicide across a range of precepts, Dhamma, and social dimensions. By so doing, it is clear that suicide in Buddhism are systematically structured and related; it is not conflicted between Buddha’s teaching and perspective; and that Thai Buddhists’ belief in suicide is based on the principle of Buddhism. Besides the advantage of academic, this approach will enable better understanding of Dhamma and social prevention of suicide based off of the Buddha’s guidelines. For the solution of suicide problems, the Buddha points towards Anapanasati practice (mindful- ness on breathing) for a renewed calmer mind and consciousness that would greatly benefit a decrease act in sin.