Microorganism - are they considered as living things?
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Does rebirth applicable to them (baterials, germs, viruses, etc)?
If they are not considered as living things, we still can't deny that they do have lives, except that they have very different way of reproducing themselves.
What are buddhists' views on this? -
Hi, it depends. Some microscopic organism have consciousness and are known as microscopic animals. This includes bed bugs, etc, many of which belongs to the insect category.Originally posted by genq:Does rebirth applicable to them (baterials, germs, viruses, etc)?
If they are not considered as living things, we still can't deny that they do have lives, except that they have very different way of reproducing themselves.
What are buddhists' views on this?
However, germs and bacteria are usually made of only one or a few cells, and although these cells are alive, they do not have consciousness, the 5 senses, or a nervous system. Like trees, they are inanimate living things. So they do not undergo rebirth. Don't worry and eat your antibiotics
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Yeah. And go kill some living things.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:However, germs and bacteria are usually made of only one or a few cells, and although these cells are alive, they do not have consciousness, the 5 senses, or a nervous system. Like trees, they are inanimate living things. So they do not undergo rebirth. Don't worry and eat your antibiotics -
I thought I heard it from one of my teacher (a sangha) that germs/bacterias are living things too? Is the process of mutation considered as rebirth?Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Hi, it depends. Some microscopic organism have consciousness and are known as microscopic animals. This includes bed bugs, etc, many of which belongs to the insect category.
However, germs and bacteria are usually made of only one or a few cells, and although these cells are alive, they do not have consciousness, the 5 senses, or a nervous system. Like trees, they are inanimate living things. So they do not undergo rebirth. Don't worry and eat your antibiotics
Anyway, it'll be beneficial to do dedications to all the living things that was killed by us this and previous life, regardless whether it's a microscopic organism or a huge elephant.. -
Note the term sentient beings used in BuddhismOriginally posted by genq:Does rebirth applicable to them (baterials, germs, viruses, etc)?
If they are not considered as living things, we still can't deny that they do have lives, except that they have very different way of reproducing themselves.
What are buddhists' views on this?
all sentient beings are living beings
but not all living beings are sentient
under the four kinds of birth and formation - eggs, womb, transformation and mutations
the microorganism fall under mutations
they have no brain function and scientist have found no effect letting them listen to Mozart /Beethoven music
they dun have thinking ,so thus no emotions
However , Buddha 's compassion is Universal
One have to radiate one's compassion to even the microorganism
virus , germs are sentient beings who degraded even further by generating hatred ,genocidal thought , terrorist thinking
As Buddhist , we should exchange hatred for love to them ,so they may have chance to become Buddha
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please read commentary on Diamond sutra
the four kinds of birth
hahahah -
You seem so sure of rebirth.Originally posted by bohiruci:Note the term sentient beings used in Buddhism
all sentient beings are living beings
but not all living beings are sentient
under the four kinds of birth and formation - eggs, womb, transformation and mutations
the microorganism fall under mutations
they have no brain function and scientist have found no effect letting them listen to Mozart /Beethoven music
they dun have thinking ,so thus no emotions
However , Buddha 's compassion is Universal
One have to radiate one's compassion to even the microorganism
virus , germs are sentient beings who degraded even further by generating hatred ,genocidal thought , terrorist thinking
As Buddhist , we should exchange hatred for love to them ,so they may have chance to become Buddha -
u seem so sure of non-rebirthOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:You seem so sure of rebirth. -
Because so far, I still can't prove that it happens scientifically.Originally posted by bohiruci:u seem so sure of non-rebirth -
but u have not been into spiritual , how would u know spiritually rebirth doesnt existOriginally posted by Herzog_Zwei:Because so far, I still can't prove that it happens scientifically.