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Q-22: I’m a Buddhist youth. So I don’t know many things about Buddhism. I can’t yet learn Buddhism while learning my school lessons. Anyway I’m sure I’m naturally kind-hearted. So I try not to kill animals. I do not kill even small insects. Some of my friends blame me when I don’t kill mosquitos. They say mosquitos are dangerous and we must kill them. Moreover some friends call me stupid for not killing mosquitos. How should I do and how should I respond to my friends?

Thank you.

Young Zheng

 A-22: It's great to hear from one as young as you on the "correct" way to treat animals and insects. Keep up with your kind acts because not only are you learning about Buddhism, you are actually practising it. Your friends may seem unkind and you may feel a little intimidated by their reactions.They are looking at the mosquitoes as the 'bearer' of a deadly disease. This (disease) will affect all which include their love-ones and when it comes to people one cares about, one tends to be selfish and protective.

So how then, should you handle this? Well, you can avoid killing mosquitos by staying away from them and you can ensure there is no chance for these 'pesky' insects to breed by keeping your environment clean. In this way, you are not only socially responsible, you are also practising sila.  Your behaviour today as a youngster will pave the way for you to experience more valuable lessons as you grow older. For example when you’re a parent, your children will learn from you how to be kind. And when you’re a leader, your team-mates and colleagues will emulate you. Learn to accept that your friends may or may not understand your actions when you choose to drive the mosquitos away instead of killing them. By all means, explain to them that the intent not to kill is practicing the Buddhist precepts. However, if your friends remain adamant and unreceptive to your explanation, let it be.Accept that each person is entitled to his own views and that it is more important for you to do what you think is the right thing. Be kind to your friends. Do not argue with them and just keep up with your practice of developing and radiating your loving kindness (metta) to all beings.

I met a lady who was taught by her father how to be kind to animal. She told me her lesson of kindness given by her father. As a cheeky teenager, she once asked her father why he did not kill the rat that was "feasting" on the peanuts that was placed on the altar in their home (where they had Lord Buddha and a few other deities images). He did a truly funny thing - he put the rat in a large bottle, mounted his motorbike and actually let it off somewhere a distance from their house - probably some other open space. His answer to her was: "Like humans, the rat need food too. So it is just doing what nature made it to be. For that we mustn't fault it." I hope you learn from this a way to be kind.

With Metta,

Ashin Acara

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Dhamma Questions are answered by Bhante U Cittara, resident monk of Mangala Vihara, and his assistant monks. Questions and comments on given answers are welcome. Send your questions and comments to resident_monk@mangalavihara.org.sg.