Evil is a word many people use without thinking deeply about what it signifies.
Comparing common ideas about evil with Buddhist teachings on evil can facilitate deeper thinking about evil. It is
a topic where your understanding will change over time. This is a snapshot of understanding, not perfect wisdom.
People think and speak about evil in several different, and sometimes conflicting, ways. The two most common are
these:
Evil as an intrinsic characteristic
It's common to think of evil as an intrinsic characteristic of some people or groups. In other words, some people are
said to be evil. Evil is a quality that is inherent in their being.
Evil as an external force.
In this view, evil lurks about and infects or seduces the unwary into doing bad things. Sometimes evil is personified
as Satan or some other character from religious literature.
Buddhism teaches us that evil is something we create, not something we are or some outside force that infects us.
Buddhism is a religion to about 300 million people around the world. The word comes from
"budhi" to awaken. It has its origins about2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama, known as the Buddha, was
himself awakened (enlightened) at the age of 35.
"The Four Noble Truths comprise of the essence of Buddha's teachings, though they leave much left unexplained.
They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth
of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
By Barbara O'Brien August 08, 2017
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