What would a sotapanna do?

Question

There are many arguments whether a sotapanna has a perfect morality/sila or not. But let's base this topic on this Sutta:

With what four factors of a stream enterer is he endowed?

...Is endowed with virtues that are not broken, not defective, not spotted, consistent, not blemished, not enslaved, praised by the wise as conducive to concentration and desired by the noble ones He is endowed with these four factors of a stream enterer....Anguttara Nikaya 9.27

Now, for example, a deadly worm is in the stomach of a sotapanna's child. The only thing to help his child is to kill the worm otherwise his child will die. With his perfect morality, what would a sotapanna do, will a sotapanna (naturally) let his child die?

See also Trolley problem and its variants in Buddhist ethics -- what makes this question different is that one of the "people" in the question is a deadly worm instead. — ChrisW, Jan 13 '18 at 23:09
I am sorry I can't answer in this topic for you. However, I put it into the blog at this link. This answer can destroy your doubt. There was similar case in commentary which I think you will interest to read: http://unmixedtheravada.blogspot.com/2018/01/profit-managementbodhisattaselfsatta.html — Bonn, Jan 14 '18 at 15:38

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 13 '18 at 22:26

1

My guess is that a Sotapan would look into alternative removal of the worm but eventually probably get rid of it one way or another.

answered Jan 13 '18 at 22:26

Dhamma Dhatu · Answer 2 · 2018-01-13T22:12:24.337

Without hesitation, kill the worm.

The sotapanna has overcome attachment to moral precepts and rules (sīlabbata-parāmāsa) and is therefore guided by the conscience developed in the heart.

Now, a trifling evil act done by what sort of individual is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears for a moment? There is the case where a certain individual is developed in the body, developed in virtue, developed in mind [i.e., painful feelings cannot invade the mind and stay there], developed in discernment: unrestricted, large-hearted, dwelling with the immeasurable. A trifling evil act done by this sort of individual is experienced in the here & now, and for the most part barely appears for a moment.

Lonaphala Sutta: The Salt Crystal

What would a sotapanna do?

2 Answers2