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Dear Venerable,
Some contraceptions prevent conception but they can also prevent implantation of fertilised egg in the uterus, such as hormonal birth control, in case the prevention is failed. So they work in more than one way in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people consider this kind of contraception as abortifacient, therefore killing a living being.
As far as I know, it's widely understood that the most acceptable birth control for Buddhists is the one that prevents pregnancy before fertilisation, such as condom or other barrier methods, not after fertilisation.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religi..._birth_control)
(https://www.budsas.org/ebud/whatbudbeliev/237.htm)
But In order to fulfill the karma of killing there has to be a living being and the person has to have the intention to kill. When someone takes birth control pill prior sexual intercourse, for example, their intention is to prevent conception, there is no intention to kill. I'm wondering why do many Buddhists avoid this type of contraception, what's your thought on this Venerable? Thanks.
Some contraceptions prevent conception but they can also prevent implantation of fertilised egg in the uterus, such as hormonal birth control, in case the prevention is failed. So they work in more than one way in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people consider this kind of contraception as abortifacient, therefore killing a living being.
As far as I know, it's widely understood that the most acceptable birth control for Buddhists is the one that prevents pregnancy before fertilisation, such as condom or other barrier methods, not after fertilisation.
The most common Buddhist view on birth control is that contraception is acceptable if it prevents conception, but that contraceptives that work by stopping the development of a fertilized egg are wrong and should not be used.
There is no reason for Buddhists to oppose birth control. They are at liberty to use any of the old or modern measures to prevent conception. Those who object to birth control by saying that it is against God's law to practise it, must realize that their concept regarding this issue is not reasonable. In birth control what is done is to prevent the coming into being of an existence. There is no killing involved and there is no akusala kamma.
But In order to fulfill the karma of killing there has to be a living being and the person has to have the intention to kill. When someone takes birth control pill prior sexual intercourse, for example, their intention is to prevent conception, there is no intention to kill. I'm wondering why do many Buddhists avoid this type of contraception, what's your thought on this Venerable? Thanks.
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