Page |1

Understanding Suicide using the Buddhism

Presented by:

David John Barua BA- Philosophy II

Felix Oribia III BA Philosophy II

Professor:

Fr. Ariel Destora

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement in:

PHPC 106: Indian Philosophy

Notre Dame of Marbel University

Koronadal City

October 1, 2019
 Page |2

Understanding Suicide using the Buddhism

Outline:

I. Abstract

II. Introduction

III. Rationale

A. What is Suicide?

1. The Causes of Suicide

2. Problems of Suicide

3. Suicidal Thoughts

4. Psychological View about Suicide

B. The Buddhism

1. What is suffering?

2. The Four Noble Truths

3. The Eight-Fold Path

4. The Buddhism View about Suicide

IV. Synthesize

V. Conclusion

VI. References
 Page |3

I. Abstract

In this paper we are going to comprehend the ways of the Buddhist about their

perspective on the suicide. This is very inevitable and rampant phenomenon from the past until

now. Suicide is an uncontrollable phenomenon that we cannot avoid to wonder. Why these

people commit suicide? What are the causes of this phenomenon? How suicide occurs?

Of course we are going to discuss here also the suicide for a better understanding about

this kind of phenomenon. Using the psychological view for we may able to know what is

cognition why suicide triggers to the mind of the victims. And after that using the Buddhism

approach, hopefully we can make it understandable what they are into. And how can we let them

avoid by doing this kind of attempt.

And we may able to lessen for those people who are suffering in this kind of interest. By

helping those in a simple way that they may realized of valuing their own life. And enlighten

them to their void of despair into the light of hope. By this we may able to learn and understand

what they feel. Finally, we can observe how the Buddhism is beneficial to the victims by

changing their thoughts into a brighter way of ending their lives. It’s not about stopping them

because it is their choice. But rather giving them a better death they could have with much more

to offer more than just a suicide can give.

 Page |4

II. Introduction

Suffering of our existence is a very considerable for many people from our ancestors and

until now. There are lot of ways for a man to suffer not just on the struggling of the existence and

his purpose. But there are minor sufferings such as injuries, wounds, sickness, disabilities,

possessed or material, and many more. Which are very perceptual and obvious sufferings

because we can see through it. In other words, these are the extrinsic sufferings or pain in the

outside.

Another kind suffering, this is the major suffering. The experience which comes first in

our mind and the struggle of existence belongs here. And these sufferings are very crucial it may

lead to your end in no time. Example: thinking, problems, anxiety, depression, phobias, traumas,

broken-hearted, discriminations, hatred, discouragement, loneliness, crying, and worst suicide.

These are the emotions or behaviors whatever you call those. They in our thoughts which are

very common for those people who are weak emotionally and mentality. These causes their grief

that may lead to suicidal thoughts.

Many people commit suicide because of those examples. We can see it on television, hear

it on our radio, or any media gives information how suicide is arising in a higher rate from time

to time. Suicide is a very serious matter for the victims and to the future one’s who will suffer.

They always say prevention is better than cure. But this time cure is what we need to prevent

this kind of phenomena.

 Page |5

III. Rationale

A. What is Suicide?

It is the act of purposely killing he/she’s own life. Or a person who commits ending

his/her own life by many ways. According to some statistics, over 800,000 people end their lives

by suicide each year worldwide. Which means someone in the world is ending his or her life

every 40 seconds. And those people who not reported are not yet included in this statistics.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death mostly the victims are in the age of 15 and 29 years

of age. Suicide really affects a large part of our society or community. (Kenichi Shimokawa,

2016)

a) The Causes of Suicide

There are many ways of causes how suicide arises to a person. Of course it always starts

with the people all around you. And the most common roots of all of these after those people are

grief. This grief emphasizes of a great sadness or an intense sorrow. In this kind of state it may

not be very obvious it can be the root of suicide as we belittle this experience. Most of these

potential victims are very agnostic of what they are going into.

After the victim clinging to the state of grief it may lead to different levels of grief which

are the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, physical and spiritual. First is the behavioral here, the

symptoms occur in this stage are being isolated or social withdrawal, the intolerance of others,

the loss of interest and tearfulness. Second is the cognitive here, the symptoms occur in this stage

are the poor of concentration, the difficulty in making decisions, the sense of unreality, and the

alienations. Third is the emotional here, the symptoms occur in this stage are the disbelief or

shock, the sadness or helplessness, the anxiety, the shame or guilt, the rejection or abandonment
 Page |6

and the anger or blaming towards the person. Fourth one is the physical here, the symptoms

occur in this stage are the change of appetite, the change in sleeping or insomnia and the tension

headaches. Last is the spiritual here, the symptoms occur in this stage are the loss of meaning or

direction, the questioning of their faith or beliefs and the searching for understanding or

yearning. (Suicide and grief, 2019)

b) Problems of Suicide

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is close to 800,000 people die due to

suicide per year. Suicide is the second leading cause of death by many people. Mostly, the very

vulnerable victims are those in the low-and middle-income countries with the rate of 79%

globally. And the most common methods of these victims are using are drinking pesticide,

firearms to kill themselves and hanging. Suicide is a severe health problem because it attacks the

victim in the moments of crisis with a collapse in the ability to deal to their personal challenges.

(Suicide, 2019)

c) Suicidal Thoughts

Suicidal thoughts are being pensive by abstract thoughts about how to end your life

already. A thought also that the people wouldn’t care about you anymore if you are going to die.

Or it would be better off without him/her. You are starting to make a plan here how to end or to

take your own life. Of the very reason here is much more in the emotional pain can lead to

thoughts of suicide. The reasons have its uniqueness to each person who is suffering from this.

(Cymraeg, 2019)

A person is unable to think of solutions other than ending its one’s life. Because the

person is blind of what are the solutions may suggests by his/her friends, loved ones, guidance
 Page |7

counselor or any other experts. Since the person is suffering from the intense emotional pain that

the person is experiencing. By that time, it misleads the thinking so it becomes difficult see

possible solutions to problems or to connect those people who want to reach out to the victim.

(Are You Feeling Suicidal?, 2019)

There things might possibly to consider a person who are having a suicidal thoughts. Just

as the hopelessness which shows that the victim has no direction of living, over-crying by the

negative thoughts, agonizing pain that which are unimaginable ending, the feeling of uselessness,

the desperation that the person thought there is no other choice, and trying to numb any pain you

are having. (Cymraeg, 2019)

d) Psychological View about Suicide

According to a Psychiatrist it is a long-term struggle of an individual. It is a highly

complex with diverse qualities of phenomenon, with many contribution and facilitation

variables. It can be by the interaction between different factors, such as neurobiology, a personal

or family history, stressful events and sociocultural environment. It is a behavior that drives the

victim to escape from the severe kind of psychological pain. (Bechara, 2019)

The form thought of psychologies that the most common factors of suicides because of

the personality and individual differences, cognitive factors, social factors, and negative life

events. (O'Connor & Nock, 2014)

Another psychologist named Thomas Joiner. According to him there are two

psychological states which are the perceived burdensomeness and the sense of low belongingness

or social alienation. First, perceived burdensomeness is it the view of one’s existence burdens in

family, friends and society. It represents a potentially fatal misperception. On the other hand, the
 Page |8

low belongingness/Social Alienation it is the experience that one is alienated from others or

feeling isolated. Not an integral part of a family, friends or other valued group. (Joiner, PhD,

2009)

B. The Buddhism

It is considered as an eastern religion or a philosophy based on the teaching of the so-

called Buddha and with a belief holding that a state of enlightenment can be achieved by

restraining worldly craves. Buddhism is a path of training and spiritual development leading to

realization into the true nature of reality. By exercising meditation is a way of fluctuating the

practitioner in order to enhance the qualities of awareness, kindness and of course wisdom. This

kind of tradition is used over a thousand of years. The very core of attaining the enlightenment

for them is representing the end of suffering for anyone who acquired it. (what is buddism?,

2019)

Buddhism do not believe the idea of worshipping a god, some people do not view it as a

religion in the normal, western sense. The basic principles of Buddhist teachings are

straightforward and practical. They believe on changes or no permanent; actions have

consequences. Buddhism lecture to all people regardless of race, nationality, caste, and sexuality.

Their practical methods enable people to realize and use its lectures in order to alter their

experiences, to be fully accountable for their lives. (what is buddism?, 2019)

a) What is suffering?

In the typical understanding of people in the meaning of suffering is commonly

understands as physical or psychological painful experience. This is one of the Four Noble

Truths in the teachings of Buddhism. For Buddha this is necessary to point it out because this is
 Page |9

the hardest for the people to acknowledge. Buddha thinks that people are all in denial when it

comes to this so-called suffering. Because the suffering they are talking about is not just about

what we feel when we are injured or not feeling well. But rather the suffering of existence that

leads a person to frustration, despairing and alienation that outcome from the consciousness of

his/her own mortality. Once we are accept forcibly to admit our own impermanence. It leads us

to the struggle in how to maintain the sense that all what is happening to a person’s life has

significance when the person eventually dies. (Siderits, 1946)

b) The Four Noble Truths

The first Noble Truth is the suffering we have discussed before this. Now let’s proceed to

the second Noble Truth which is the origination of suffering: suffering comes into existence in

dependence of causes. These account, the twelve-linked chain which are (1) ignorance, (2)

volitions or choices, (3) rebirth, (4) sentient or conscious body, (5) the six organs of sense or

inner sense, (6) sensory stimulation or perception, (7) feeling or pleasure, (8) desire, (9)

appropriation or benefit, (10) becoming, (11) birth, (12) old age and death. This means that

ignorance is the root cause of all suffering. The third one is the cessation of suffering which

means the state of termination or restrain on craving. Therefore, this is where a person wills

practices to detach from the world in that which lead you to the state of enlightenment. Since

ignorance is the one behind of all our suffering. This means by obtaining knowledge it can

destroy the ignorance of a person. It is not just knowledge but rather knowledge of truth. The last

truth is there is a path to the cessation of suffering. And the cure for this suffering is the so-called

the eight-fold paths which will be discuss later on. (Siderits, 1946)
 P a g e | 10

c) The Eight-Fold Paths

These paths bring the person into a deeper appreciation of Buddha’s teachings. And these

are the (1) right view, (2) right intention, (3) right speech, (4) right action, (5) right livelihood,

(6) right exertion, (7) right self-possession and (8) right concentration. The first two represent

wisdom, the next three levels of morality, and the last three are the training that prepares you to

meditation. This meditation gives insights into the nature of the mind or controls it. That builds

up the understanding of the reality. Which means wisdom is the cure to our ignorance. For

meditating is required to union of the mind, heart, body, energy. (Siderits, 1946)

d) The Buddhism View about Suicide

In the teachings of Buddhism on the basis of their morality killing, stealing, misconduct,

lying and being a drunkard are all evil. But for them suicide is not that really evil. They agree

that death is just a transformation of life, they believe that we live in order to die and we die in

order to live gain. Therefore, they viewed suicide differently in their perspective compare to the

other religions, those which they don’t believe in life after death. (Promta & Thomyangkoon,

2011)

Buddhism advocates the Noble Eight-fold Path which leads you to detachment of your

current self rather than saying killing oneself. Primarily suicide is considered as a suffering that

originates and seen from the past negative acts. For them, those who commit suicide maybe in

grave danger. The victim may rebirth in a sorrowful dimension cause of its pessimistic end

thoughts. Still they do not condemn this kind of killing without exception. Rather reasons of

doing this kind of act must be observed also if it a respond to the path to enlightenment or not. It

may be acceptable for them in a certain circumstances as long it will lead you to the attainment
 P a g e | 11

of Nirvana. One exception is the tale of Vakkali who suffered from ill with extreme pain. He was

said that He committed a suicide. During his near death he had passed beyond desires (arhant) or

gained vision into the true nature of existence and attained nirvana. He committed his death by

self-euthanasia. Another is the story of Godhika, who also affected by illness. He attained

repetitive momentary liberation of mind but unable to gain the final liberation due to his illness.

During in the moment of his liberation it happened to him to cut his own throat, in hopes to

hence to be rebirth in a better dimension. In above these exceptions, these individuals were not

enlightened before committing suicide. Somehow they hoped and come to be enlightened by

next deaths. (Religious views on suicide, 2019)

IV. Synthesize

Now, as we have comprehended that understanding suicide using the teachings of

Buddhism is somehow correlated. In a sense, that the Buddhism has its own perspective looking

at the phenomenon on suicide. It is very obvious that attaining Nirvana is somehow you can

consider you need to kill yourself or suicide. The small difference of the two is just the past acts

of their ends or karma before they died. Therefore, suicide is an action of killing oneself but in a

negative past acts or deeds. And Buddhism in order to attained Nirvana is to detached from your

current state of self for an enlightenment.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, suicide and enlightenment have always a causes and that is suffering. For

each phenomenon these has its own way of achieving this kind of state but has the same end

which is taking owns life. Sacrifice is always the main requirement for these two. Both have a

negative and positive attainment. For suicide, the negatives are it’s a pessimistic idea of ends and
 P a g e | 12

its positive is the cessation of suffering. On the other hand, Buddhism’s path to the cessation of

suffering, its negatives are you will suffer from the detachment or most we refer to as the

biological aspects of human life. And the positive is of course the ultimate goal of their teachings

is Nirvana which is what do you call this one the so-called enlightenment.

VI. References

Are You Feeling Suicidal? (2019, June). Retrieved September 25, 2019, from HelpGuide.org:
http://helpguide.org

Religious views on suicide. (2019, September 24). Retrieved September 25, 2019, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org

Suicide. (2019, September 2). Retrieved September 25, 2019, from World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int

Suicide and grief. (2019). Retrieved September 19, 2019, from Beyond Blue:
http://www.beyondblue.org.au

what is buddism? (2019). Retrieved September 25, 2019, from The Buddhist Centre: buddhism for today:
http://www.thebuddhistcentre.com/frontpage

Bechara, A. (2019, April 4). Editorial: The Psychology of Suicide: From Research Understandings to
Intervention and Treatment. Retrieved September 25, 2019, from Frontiers:
http://www.frontiersin.org

Cymraeg, G. (2019). Suicidal Feelings. Retrieved September 25, 2019, from Mind, The Mental Health
Charity: http://www.mind.org.uk

Joiner, PhD, T. (2009, June). The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior: Current
Empirical Status. Retrieved September 25, 2019, from American Psychological Association:
http://www.apa.org

Kenichi Shimokawa, P. (2016, October). Suicide Wanings Signs and Prevention. Retrieved September 19,
2019, from Preventiing Suicide: http://PreventingSuicide.lds.org

O'Connor, C. R., & Nock, K. M. (2014, June). The psychology of suicidal behaviour. I, 6-14.
 P a g e | 13

Promta, S., & Thomyangkoon, P. (2011, July). A Buddhist persperctive on suicide: The Past, the Present,
and the Future. (D. Wasserman, & C. Wasserman, Eds.) Retrieved September 25, 2019, from
OXFORD MEDICINE ONLINE: http://oxfordmedicine.com

Siderits, M. (1946). Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction. Hants, England, United Kingdom: Ashgate
Publshing Limited.