Consensus on the application of the First Precept

[Eamonn McGrath]

Hi all,

The first precept on the avoidance of killing? What do people do if insde their home there is an abundance of "cockroaches or midgies or crickets or any other insect"? How, as a commited Buudhist do people deal with this? Do you just have to put up with it or is there any action that can be taken? I avoid killing and I dont formally call myself a Buddhist as yet, but I am living by the Five Precepts with a view to becoming a Buddhist in the future? However, this issue is causing a little personal conflict. The insects are very annoying and the midgies are becoming a problem. The fact they are in the house in such numbers is my concern. What should I do, as my Wife wants them gone, but I am trying to tell her not to kill them?

Thanks in advance.

With Metta.

[Jerrod Lopes]

Hello Eamon,

I'll steer you back over to this thread...

http://community.dhammaloka.org.au/s...s-Not-Killing)

There really aren't any concessions or exceptions to the precept. Anything the size of a flea (or larger), from my understanding of what the Buddha said, is under the protection of the 1st Precept. The fact that we may be uncomfortable with them in our home is actually much the point. Why are we uncomfortable? We may feel that we paid for this home so that no other creature is allowed in it without our invitation or blessing. When we realize that "owning" this space is really only conceptual and not at all reality, we can start to see other truths emerge. The world belongs to every living creature, great or small, strong or weak.

In actuality (notice I did not say reality) your wife does not practice the path. It is good to protect these creatures, yet in the end, it is your wife's choice to make in harming vs. not harming. With hope we can think she will come to see the logic and compassion in not killing.

I understand very much the dilemma. I often share my house with large columns of ants, big spiders, flies and the like. If I can get them outside, great. But the ants, there's no way I've found to convince a couple hundred thousand ants to stop coming inside when they really want to. However, I will not lie. Deadly spiders inside the house, such as Black Widows (which are in overabundance here) do get exterminated, albeit regretfully. I can withstand a bite, but the small children would most likely die and I'm willing to bear the kamma vipakka for killing the spiders. Not that it does any good, but I always apologize to the spider first and wish for it a better rebirth. Anyways. Thats my bit for now.

Metta,

Jerrod : )

[Michael Rodgers]

I think Ajahn Brahm's traffic light simile is appropriate here. He describes the precepts as a red light, a warning that one should not proceed - but it is a warning that rarely has to be broken for a greater good. Of course if you drive through the red light the consequences are yours to bear.

[Jo Tummers]

To be honest, I think the first precept is one of the most difficult ones to fully keep. For example, in the past I had a lot of bladder infections. I had to take antibiotics all the time to get well again. That is killing too, as the antibiotics kill the bacteria. To Jerrod: I would never visit your home Spiders in my house, I cannot even think about it. They freak me out, especially the big ones (that don't live here, fortunately for me). I know, I should meditate on that, but still, I can't get over it.

[Daniel Ionita]

I think taking antibiotics is OK Jo. I mean they are considerably smaller than a flea. Also, we kill bacteria just by eating food, drinking water and breathing. I think the grayest area here would be intestinal or other harmful internal parasites. They are sometimes larger than a flea, but somehow I don't think staying ill or dying just because you don't want to kill your parasites would be considered middle path.

As for Eamonn's question. The best steps to take would be sealing unwanted entrances and securing your food. Keep everything neat, dry and clean. Also you might want to look for non-harmful repellants. Sometimes strong plants smells like eucalyptus may prove useful. But I am no expert. Better do some research here.

[Jo Tummers]

I agree with you Daniel, I would not die for the sake of the first precept It would indeed not be the middle way.

[Daniel Ionita]

The following 5 roach repellents might just do the trick to make your home the last place a roach wants to live:

Pepper Spray - Roaches don't like red pepper. So, if you spray surfaces in your kitchen and bath with a solution containing red pepper, the will avoid those surfaces. An easy recipe to whip up a batch of spray is to mix 2 tablespoons of Tobasco Sauce (the primary ingredients are red pepper and vinegar) with 1 quart of water. Pour it into a pump spray bottle and mist it onto surfaces. A word of caution, you will be misting pepper spray into the air. Until the mist settles, you are likely to sneeze more than a few times. Consider wearing a mask when you apply the spray.

Moth Balls - Roaches, like moths, don't like the smell of moth balls. One common remedy is to drop a couple moth balls behind the stove to keep the bugs from hanging out back there. One or two in the cabinet under the sink can be helpful as well. Moth balls are not good for humans, so don't place them near food or food prep areas.

Cedar Products - The oils in cedar wood are an effective natural deterrent for a host of bugs. There are many products available to take advantage of this fact. Look for thin cedar veneers that can be used to line drawers and cabinets, cedar balls, blocks, chips, etc to place in drawers and closets, and (of course) cedar boards and paneling to line closet walls for the ultimate protection.

Mint Oil - Mint oil is a primary ingredient in several non-toxic roach sprays. The roaches avoid it, and when coated with it, they suffocate. The sprays don't kill as fast as typical poisons, but they are safe to use in the kitchen and around pets and children. It is possible to create a spray, like the pepper spray, by diluting some Dr. Brauner's Peppermint Castile Soap in water and then applying with a spray bottle. I haven't tried it, but you might be able to create your own roach spray this way if the soap concentration is high enough.

Bay Leaves - Bay leaves are another sent that roaches avoid. You can pick up a bunch of dry bay leaves in the spice section of any grocery. Place whole leaves or small sachets of crushed leaves in closets and cabinets. This is a good option for kitchen cupboards.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1039273

Maybe this is helpful.

[Jerrod Lopes]

Nice suggestions Daniel. Thanks so much. I can add that cinnamon (either powder or in a liquid form) is good for keeping ants away. Only you have to find every spot they may want to come in from.

@ Jo. I don't like the spiders being inside either...but there seems to be no way to really keep them completely out if they want to get in. And when it reaches very cold or hot extremes as it does here depending upon the season, they definitely want to come in.

Jerrod : )

Jerrod

[Daniel Ionita]

Jerrod. There are a lot of articles about natural spider repellants. There are some talking about chestnuts, lavender and citrus oils as an efficient way to keep them away. Have you tried any of these solutions?

[Andrea Collisson]

Someone once pointed out to me that the precept referred to sentient beings - beings who can feel pain.

I think Peter Singer, the Australian Ethics Philosopher is very good on the subject. He has written a lot about animal welfare and been very influential on farming practices in western countries and probably around the world. He is a vegetarian but a sensible one too.