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Unfortunate Destiny
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This chapter examines the animal realm of rebirth in early Buddhist doctrine and cosmology and shows that the animal rebirth was characterized very negatively in comparison to rebirth as a human. Rebirth as an animal was seen as an “unfortunate destiny” (Skt. durgati) brought about by negative karma and afflicted by extreme suffering. Constantly engaged in preying upon one another and pursuing mindless sex and violence, animals are distinguished from human beings by their lack of the higher mental faculties (Skt. prajñā), their lack of moral agency, and their inability to engage in spiritual cultivation. The distinction between human beings and animals is categorical in nature and might be described as a form of speciesism.
Title: Unfortunate Destiny
Description:
This chapter examines the animal realm of rebirth in early Buddhist doctrine and cosmology and shows that the animal rebirth was characterized very negatively in comparison to rebirth as a human.
Rebirth as an animal was seen as an “unfortunate destiny” (Skt.
durgati) brought about by negative karma and afflicted by extreme suffering.
Constantly engaged in preying upon one another and pursuing mindless sex and violence, animals are distinguished from human beings by their lack of the higher mental faculties (Skt.
prajñā), their lack of moral agency, and their inability to engage in spiritual cultivation.
The distinction between human beings and animals is categorical in nature and might be described as a form of speciesism.
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