What does Buddhism say about Antinatalism?
Upvote:1
Wikipedia defines antinatalism as follows:
Antinatalism, or anti-natalism, is a philosophical position and social movement that assigns a negative value to birth. Antinatalists argue that humans should abstain from procreation because it is morally bad (some also recognize the procreation of other sentient beings as morally bad).
In respect to Noble People, Buddhism may possibly appear antinatalist, when it says:
Monks, there are these two searches: ignoble search & noble search. And what is ignoble search? There is the case where a person, being subject himself to birth, seeks [happiness in] what is likewise subject to birth. Being subject himself to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, he seeks [happiness in] what is likewise subject to illness... death... sorrow... defilement.
And what may be said to be subject to birth? Spouses & children are subject to birth. Men & women slaves... goats & sheep... fowl & pigs... elephants, cattle, horses, & mares... gold & silver are subject to birth. Subject to birth are these acquisitions, and one who is tied to them, infatuated with them, who has totally fallen for them, being subject to birth, seeks what is likewise subject to birth
MN 26
However, for laypeople, Buddhism appears not antinatalist. It says:
To support one's father and mother; to cherish one's wife and children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupations — this is the highest blessing.
Maha-mangala Sutta
Buddhism says the pleasant feelings from renunciation, meditation & enlightenment are superior to the pleasant feelings from the household family life. Refer to the Sukhavagga in AN 2.
There are, mendicants, these two kinds of happiness. What two? The happiness of laypeople and the happiness of renunciates. These are the two kinds of happiness. The better of these two kinds of happiness is the happiness of renunciates.
There are, mendicants, these two kinds of happiness. What two? Sensual happiness and the happiness of renunciation. These are the two kinds of happiness. The better of these two kinds of happiness is the happiness of renunciation.
There are, mendicants, these two kinds of happiness. What two? The happiness of attachments, and the happiness of no attachments. These are the two kinds of happiness. The better of these two kinds of happiness is the happiness of no attachments.
It follows it appears Buddhism is not 'antinatalist' because it appears to never say having children is "morally bad". Buddhism appears to merely say (for those capable of entering the Noble Path) not having children brings more happiness when compared to having children.
In conclusion, my personal view is Buddhism is not antinatalist. My impression is Antinatalism is merely another regressive ideology held by psychopaths, similar to Marxism and Feminism.
More post
- 📝 What happens to grasping at 'self' after termination of life?
- 📝 How to achieve stream entry in this very life?
- 📝 What are these three things Buddha cannot do?
- 📝 Does any school seriously believe Maitreya might appear in my lifetime
- 📝 How does Buddhism describe God?
- 📝 Sudden enlightenment & knowledge of the Abhidhamma
- 📝 Is our surroundings affecting our ability to concentrate the mind?
- 📝 To Be or Not to Be?
- 📝 Theravada using mostly Vinaya and 4 Nikayas
- 📝 Did the Buddha Meditate?
- 📝 I had a no-self experience, why is it a good state?
- 📝 Is it useful to meditate upon hunger?
- 📝 How to deal with criticism?
- 📝 What is it that is re-incarnated ?
- 📝 How does the story of General Siha's Meal for the Buddha at Vaisali vindicate the Buddha?
- 📝 Are Bodhisattvas real human beings we can encounter?
- 📝 How should I take the concept of 'identical being'?
- 📝 Does a fertlized pigeon egg have life in it?
- 📝 What is the phantom in the conclusion of the Diamond Sutra?
- 📝 Can one gloss the doctrine of karma as the claim that we are only really hurting ourselves?
- 📝 How to develop energy, rapture, tranquility and immersion?
- 📝 Strong tingling sensation in face that persists +- hour after meditation
- 📝 Meditation side effects
- 📝 Information Technology Careers and Right Livelihood Dharma
- 📝 What is the mind-state during vipassana after anger disappears?
- 📝 How to find the right Dhamma teacher
- 📝 Different interpretations of the 6 realms
- 📝 Realms : About a certain Deva's concubine's rebirth?
- 📝 Is it alright to have a leather jacket and still consider myself a Buddhist?
- 📝 what is the meaning of the cryptic formula in the 4sp satipatthana formula? (for the Chinese parallel)
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 What does Buddhism literature and tradition say about transgender folks?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about boredom?
- 📝 What does buddhism say about bodybuilding (and weights training)?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about how to manage other people's anger?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about dealing with negative people?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about creativity and spiritual development?
- 📝 What does Buddha and Buddhism say about fighting against enemy of dharma?
- 📝 What does Diamond Way Buddhism say about obstacles at times of becoming more conscious?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about the consequences of good and bad behaviour?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about practicing Spiritism?
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach or say about Tolerance and accepting differences in general?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about intentionally killing dangerous insects and beings?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about the "self"?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about the existence of a self?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about success?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about pragmatic retribution?
- 📝 What does buddhism say about mind and heart?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about Antinatalism?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say about events that cannot be explained through rational thought?
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach about fear of success?
- 📝 What does the Abhidhamma say about impermanence?
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach about energy?
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach about anger?
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach about healing others through the mind
- 📝 What do different schools of Buddhism say about Mara
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach about abusive parents?
- 📝 What does the Pali canon say about "death"?
- 📝 What does Buddhism teach about the start and end of world?
- 📝 What does Buddhadasa say about rebirth after the break-up of the body?
- 📝 What does Buddhism say that the laity should do when someone injuries them?