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“Do not kill” clearly is a precept that forbids the taking of life, but Mahayana Buddhism strongly implies that this precept also means that we should not complain about the life we are blessed with.
One way or another, we compare ourselves to other people and feel either superior or inferior. We did not ask to be born into this world; nor did we acquire life through our own efforts. Because all life is a gift, there is no need to debate the pros and cons of a life, or whether it’s good or bad. It is foolish to find fault with a life. The thoughtlessness of grumbling about one’s own life without any awareness of its preciousness, or that it is one and the same as the life of the Buddha—this is certainly the same as violating the precept “Do not kill.”
The Lotus Sutra talks about the importance of praising the life of each being born into this world, as if it is telling us to say, “That person is kind to everyone and anyone, greets people politely, speaks honestly and is a good listener, and is truly patient and uncomplaining.” Forgetting to praise and unintentionally allowing discontent and grumbling to dominate is, in effect, treating your own life with crudeness, which comes under the precept “Do not kill.” You may think that you are simply complaining, but being involved in that sort of taking of life leads off the path of happiness to a path of thorns.
Kokorono manako o hiraku [Opening the Mind’s Eye] (Kosei Publishing, 2013), pp. 99–100
Nichiko Niwano is president of Rissho Kosei-kai and an honorary president of Religions for Peace. He also serves as an advisor to Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan).
