My sister wont kill any animal or insect! She will just "shoo" them!

I think it's entirely possible. But in any case, whether the animal in question used to be a tree, a tortoise or a tarantula, in Buddhism all life is equally precious, and killing any animal is wrong, as it's killing in itself which is wrong. Who are we to say that we're more important than a fly, a bird or a cow? They all have their roles to play within nature, and add to the ecosystem, unlike humans who destroy and tinker with it. You should be proud of your sister - she's found a peaceful and harmonious religion which isn't all about power and domination, believers and non-believers, sin and judgement. In Buddhism, every action has its consequences, and doing something bad has repercussions which the person accepts responsibility for - not having some mystical figure who will make it all better and take away responsibility if we say sorry. It's for us to try and make the world a better place, and everything which we do, we really do and it does matter - both in terms of what sort of person it makes us, and in what it contributes or takes away from the world around us.

Buddhists believe in respecting all life, whether or not it could be reincarnated ancestors. They believe that all life is sacred. Basically, they're more pro-life than any Christian, especially since the Bible contains all sorts of instructions for violence, such as when to stone whom, etc. I'd say the switch to Buddhism is a step in the right direction. If one must have a religion, Buddhism is one of the most harmless.

the reason is because they are creatures with the right to life just as we have the right to life...In Buddhism NOT taking life (any life be it human, animal or plant) is very important...I'm a Buddhist myself BUT in a modern more Western sense...as much as I TRY to not kill insects etc sometimes it just has to be done (especially when my kids are freakin out over it)...but traditionally takingn life isnt acceptable at all..all life should be respected and cherished.... As for us being reincarnated as an animal...some believe its possible (some Native Americans believe that too actually) but others believe otherwise....I believe in Reincarnation without a doubt but I dont think its common for one to come back as an animal...

Me too I don't believe in that, but I'm vegetarian and animalist, so I agree with your sister's behaviour. One religion that respects the right to live of every creature.... good, really very good. However I have to add that, even if I never kill flies and other insects, if a dangerous animal came in my house and I was forced to defend my life, I'd do it, even if I had to kill it. But I think the same with an human being, if a person would try to kill me I'd try to defend myself in every way....

in theory it could be. and even if it's not, what's the point in killing something when you're not going to eat it, or it's no threat to you.

the hindu and budhhist school of thoughts believes in the basic law of physics; matter cannot be created nor destroyed. it is a matter of faith but lord krishna in his geeta says wasasi jeernani prakruti shariram.... the meaning of this verse is kind of follows: as we change clothes which are old and withered and wear new clean ones, the atma-soul also changes clothes when dirty. it is true if you have faith in the almighty.

You say "My sister wont kill any animal or insect! She will just "shoo" them!" like it's a bad thing! I don't believe that they could be our relatives, but I don't believe in cruelty to animals either and stamping, slapping and stepping on animals is considerd cruel wether there insects or my least favourite animals (like snakes) or not!

I truly appreciate what your sister is doing. Every living being has the right to live. Would WE like it if animals proclaimed that human beings are disposable and can be killed without reason? While I do not approve of killing animals for food, I feel that the theory regarding "killing" plants hasn't been thought over enough. You are not KILLING a fruit by plucking it off a tree. The fruit will continue to "live" and ripen even after it has been plucked. However, regardless of whether you pluck the fruit off or not, it will turn overipe and fall to the ground eventually anyway. The whole PURPOSE of a fruit is to be eaten by animals so their SEEDS may be spread in their excreta. A fruit is a PART of a plant, not a living plant itself. You're not committing murder each time u tweeze out a hair, are you? The hair follicle at the base has life too. And we're not killing our reproductive cells everytime we engage in intimate activities are we? They HAVE life and BRING life as well. I believe it is more a question of consciousness and spirit than it is of life. It is not the biological aspect of life that yoru sister appreciates - it is the spiritual aspect of consciousness that she has learnt to understand.

I pray your sister comes to know the Lord Jesus! I have a hard time killing anything myself, unless it is attacking me of course. I love animals and I don't understand how anyone could be mean or abusive to them.

With Christianity, we also do beleive in being kind to animals and any living creature made by God. This is the reason why we do respect animal rights also, but certainly not because we beleive that they are reincarnated souls. It's hard for your sister to kill insects because of her belief system. We mught not understand it, but it's also like how we beleive in the Bible or Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, I cant just shoo flies away or let the snake just bit me..lol. In some countries mosquito bites could be deadly and it's common knowledges that cockroaches could bring many diseases. My beleif is that if I don't take care of my body from diseases or protect my children from possible illnesses, I am committing a greater sin.

I have a father who's almost the same with your sister. The difference is, my father is a full pledge Catholic and it doesn't have anything to do with him not killing any insect or animal. He just believe that they have their own purposes. Like one in our old house you can really see a lot of spider webs and spiders on the ceilings and walls because he doesn't want to kill them. We respect our father too much that we don't put that belief of him as a point of argument for us.

Well, if the things that come in are harmful, say bed bugs, mosquitoes I will deal with them accordingly. But if they are the non harmful types, I will try to shy them away. Buddhism has it that all souls that have not reached enlightenment, will always be in the 6 wheel cycle of reincarnation. Lowest of which is the insect cycle and highest the human cycle. It is good to know about it, but try not to be to stuck to it. Some things are good to know only. Cheers

mhm...maybe, though its kind of a little funny...your sister has many beliefs but her reason was cute why she didn't kill any of those insects/ animals!

Well, the mystery of reincarnation and belief in it is as old as humanity. Buddhism takes this belief to the extreme by stating that an insect or animal may be your relative. Be kind to them unless you are under attack by a snake. Buddhism believes that your life is more precious and you should defend yourself from a snake attack. They are propagating non-violence in all aspects of life. This philosophy of non-violence is deep but getting a glimpse of it, it makes sense to be good to others, humans or animals.

My boss is like that (except she's not a buddist - just an animal lover). She'll take an ant outside instead of just killing it (I don't get it). But as for your question, no I'm not a Buddhist, but a friend of mine is (and I've seen him kill a spider). I never understood it myself, but... to each his own, right?

it's nice that she dosent kill any insects or animals coz they are poor. they cant do anything when we kill or kick them so better not to harrash them let they enjoy their life. but kill the dangerous insects that harms humans. hehehe

I think you should just respect her decision, but of course if you see her being bitten by a mosquito, you might kill the mosquito if you want to. Atleast she was not the one who killed the mosquito. Sometimes beliefs are really hard to cope with but we have to live with that but if it putting somebody's life in danger, we should take action.

It makes sense in a way. Since we were all created by the same Creator we are all related to each other. It just has to do if you belief that animals are of a lower order than man. If you do you may have no problems killing an animal. Your sister thinks they are not that they even might be connected to your ancestors so she has problems killing them. But honestly you must find ways to protect yourself from snakes getting into your room. Protecting yourself is not the same as killing.

I try not to kill insects because i know they are here for a purpose, but if a mosquito is biting me, I will whap it. If I had roaches i would probably either live with them or just move and let them have my house. Roaches are almost impossible to get rid of. A snake is not an insect but I would not kill one either. I am not really into the reincarnation factor as in the fact that animals have their purpose here too. So any living being unless it is hurting me, I will not kill.

the point is why there is so many animals around yours...?and what if those so called "relatives" bite her?she had to learn to protect herself. buddhism is profound and magnificent it's not just metempsychosis.