Why is human life especially precious in Buddhism?

A human birth is rare and is the best state from which to reach enlightenment. Gods are too content and animals too confused to practise the Dhamma easily.

What does the simile of the blind turtle teach about human life?

The Buddha pictured a blind turtle that surfaces once a century in a vast ocean. A human birth is rarer than that turtle putting its head through a floating yoke.

How is the value of life shown in everyday Buddhist practice?

Buddhists avoid killing even insects where they can. Theravada monks filter their drinking water so that tiny creatures are not swallowed.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Buddhism: Matters of Life and Death

The sanctity of life in Buddhism

3 things to know
Paper 1

Overview

The First Precept in the Khuddakapatha, why human birth is precious and the blind turtle, killing as a grave monastic offence, life release, rebirth, everyday practice, and contrasts with Christian sanctity of life.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What does the sanctity of life mean for a Buddhist?

Key term

What is the First Precept, as recited in the Khuddakapatha?

Key term

How does the First Precept show that life is special?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What does the sanctity of life mean for a Buddhist?
Model answer
For Buddhists, the sanctity of life means that all life is precious and should not be harmed. Buddhists extend this value to animals as well as humans.
2
What is the First Precept, as recited in the Khuddakapatha?
Model answer
The Khuddakapatha gives the First Precept as the undertaking to refrain from killing living beings. The precept heads the training rules recited by novices.
3
How does the First Precept show that life is special?
Model answer
The First Precept puts not taking life before every other rule. All beings fear death and value their lives, so harming them is unskilful.
4
Why is human life especially precious in Buddhism?
Model answer
A human birth is rare and is the best state from which to reach enlightenment. Gods are too content and animals too confused to practise the Dhamma easily.
5
What does the simile of the blind turtle teach about human life?
Model answer
The Buddha pictured a blind turtle that surfaces once a century in a vast ocean. A human birth is rarer than that turtle putting its head through a floating yoke.
6
How is the value of life shown in everyday Buddhist practice?
Model answer
Buddhists avoid killing even insects where they can. Theravada monks filter their drinking water so that tiny creatures are not swallowed.

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