No such things as "evil". We define "evil" however we cannot truly define what is is. You might say that killing Jews were evil, however in, in Hiter's eyes, it was noble. Everyone has a different view of whats evil and whats not. 9/11 is a perfect example. Those terrorists weren't exactly evil, they were following religious orders and thought what they were doing was truly noble and good. You have to be taught to be "evil"
http://www.sgi.org/buddhism/daily-life/list/goodevil.html
Good and Evil
Good and evil have often been looked upon as diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive. But in a real, practical sense, such a simplistic way of thinking is unsatisfactory. Even the cruelest of criminals may possess a strong sense of love or compassion toward his parents and children. Is such a person fundamentally good or evil?
The Buddhist understanding is that good and evil are innate, inseparable aspects of life. This view makes it impossible to label a particular individual or group as "good" or "evil." Every single human being is capable of acts of the most noble good, or the basest evil.
Moreover, good and evil in Buddhism are seen not as absolute but relative or "relational." The good or evil of an act is understood in terms of its actual impact on our own lives and the lives of others, not on abstract rules of conduct.
Evil actions are those which are based on a narrow selfishness, the delusion that our lives are fundamentally disconnected from those of others and that we can benefit at their expense. Evil views life as a means to be expended, not an end in itself. Good is that which generates connection between ourselves and others, healing and restoring the bonds among human societies.
In the context of Buddhism, good is identified with "the fundamental nature of enlightenment," or absolute freedom and happiness resulting from profound self-knowledge. Evil indicates "fundamental darkness," or life's innate delusion which negates the potential of enlightenment and causes suffering for oneself and others. This inner darkness echoes with the despair that our lives are ugly and meaningless; it also drives a wedge of fear that splits the hearts of people into "us" and "them."
A Buddha is someone who has the courage to acknowledge these two fundamental aspects of life. As Nichiren states, "One who is thoroughly awakened to the nature of good and evil from their roots to their branches and leaves is called a Buddha." Buddhas accept their innate goodness without arrogance because they know all people share the same Buddha nature. Buddhas also recognize their innate evil without despair because they know they have the strength to overcome and control their negativity.
Unwillingness to acknowledge the potential of both supreme good and evil can stem from the fact that as individuals we are reluctant to see ourselves as either very good or very bad, hiding instead behind a collective moral mediocrity that requires neither the responsibility of goodness nor the guilt of evil. And perhaps this moral ambiguity within seems to demand quick judgement of others--those who serve our interests as "good people" and those whom we dislike as "bad people" as if to counterbalance that inner confusion with external clarity.
Some view Buddhism as a teaching of tranquillity and repose--of passivity even--whereas in fact the practice of Buddhism is not about "staying safe." It is a constant struggle to create value and change evil into good through our own efforts to confront it. Nichiren writes, "Opposing good is called evil, opposing evil is called good."
Soka Gakkai founder Tsunesaburo Makiguchi, imprisoned for his criticism of Japan's wartime policies, is said to have engaged his fellow prisoners in a debate on the nature of good and evil, asking if there was a difference between not doing good and committing actual evil.
If we lack the courage to confront evil acts, or tendencies toward hatred and discrimination, both within ourselves and in society, they will spread unchecked, as history shows. Martin Luther King, Jr., lamented, "We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."
In the words of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda, "The universe, this world and our own lives, are the stage for a ceaseless struggle between hatred and compassion, the destructive and constructive aspects of life. We must never let up, confronting evil at every turn."
And in the end, the evil over which we must triumph is the impulse toward hatred and destruction that resides in us all. The process of acknowledging, confronting and transforming our own fundamental darkness is the means by which we can strengthen the functioning of good in our lives.
Good post. ^^
If we lack the courage to confront evil acts, or tendencies toward hatred and discrimination, both within ourselves and in society, they will spread unchecked, as history shows.I agree. People need to have the courage to confront evil acts where ever they see it. It's tremendously important to ones self and the world. I admire people with such conviction.
Originally posted by JesusTheChrist
No such things as "evil". We define "evil" however we cannot truly define what is is. You might say that killing Jews were evil, however in, in Hiter's eyes, it was noble. Everyone has a different view of whats evil and whats not. 9/11 is a perfect example. Those terrorists weren't exactly evil, they were following religious orders and thought what they were doing was truly noble and good. You have to be taught to be "evil"
Hilter brainwashed his Nazis to think that the Aryan race was superior and so it was OK to exterminate other races such as the Jews. Bin Laden is brainwashing his followers to think that the west is corrupt and needs to be cleansed and the only way this can be done is killing them all.
Yes there is some moral ambiguity in many circumstances. Stealing food because you can't afford it, fighting for your family, and other such things. But there are actions that are evil and good. But that is the point with all this I think. Actions are good and evil but people aren't inherently either.
Well, that is true. Those are all examples of twisted ideas of good and evil. But how can you possibly know whether the rest of us don't also have twisted ideas of good and evil. There are very few people in the world who know exactly why they believe what they believe. Most people say "that is just the way it is. Period." But how do you know your own beliefs aren't twisted?
Originally posted by Marxman
Hilter brainwashed his Nazis to think that the Aryan race was superior and so it was OK to exterminate other races such as the Jews. Bin Laden is brainwashing his followers to think that the west is corrupt and needs to be cleansed and the only way this can be done is killing them all.
You are underestimating the apparent willingness of people to abdicate responsibility for their actions to a higher power.
Originally posted by inimalist
You are underestimating the apparent willingness of people to abdicate responsibility for their actions to a higher power.
This is so true. For instance The German people and Adolf Hitler. Hitler did not Brainwash anybody. The German people new what he was about and they supported him. Germans now days try to exonerate themselves by saying they were duped or brainwashed but they new what was going on. Hitler did not sneak these Antisemitic views in on the people. This was part of his rhetoric from the beginning. He was saying this in MeinKompf in 1922. Germans were happy not to have to pay their loans back to the Juden Bankers and Having their Mortgages dissolved. Merchants liked the fact that they did not have that competition with Jew merchants. The Fact is Der Deutchesvolke were on bored from the beginning and not the innocent lambs caught up in the Evil Sorcerer Hitler spell.
Originally posted by Ashestoashesjc
People are born neutral. Both internal and external influences can affect them later on. Just like I made a choice to be evil and kick puppies, Hitler could have made the choice to become a humanitarian and helped the spread of cultural diversity.
Completely wrong. Whatever fantasy world you're living in, wake up. I know the notion of all men and women being created morally and mentally equal is a fun thing to imagine, but, it's simply not true. Outside influence does have a lot to do with a persons actions, but claiming that everyone is born a clean slate is simply not correct. Maybe you missed my grossly oversimplified example (I will not claim that it is a work of art), but attitudes and personalities (that could incorporate "Good" and "Evil"😉 already have their beginnings, unmodified by environment. These are varied from person to person.
Originally posted by §words point
was ed gein evil? what about hitler or charles mansion? were they born evil?
I honestly do not believe people are born good, or evil.
I believe infants are neutral. Depending on their upbringing, things they've experienced, etc, I believe that's what makes them "good" or "evil". Sadly, little kids believe what they hear, many don't know if its wrong or not.
If you tell a child being a nazi is good, the child will grow up thinking that all those bad things are normal.
Also another thing just to add, many serial killers, or crazy people out there, had terrible parents that abused them in terrible ways. An excellent example is Henry Lee Lucas. His mother was a terrible woman, who did terrible things to him. He had no father to go to. What a tragedy.......
I believe everyone is born neutral. 🙂