What to do if (somehow involuntarily) one kills an animal?

Question

It happened to me during dinner, yesterday: I wanted to move a mosquito that was in my plate and accidentally killed it :(

What's the appropriate thing to do in such cases? Is there any mantra to recite in order to have some benefit for the insect?

I'm asking this because I read about a mantra to be recited "in front of your shoes" so that, in case of walking on top of an animal, then it would be "less bad". But probably I'm totally wrong :)

In any case, I don't think my question is a duplicate of the guy who killed a mosquito on purpose because it was suffering. I killed it because my intention was to move it from my plate, but I didn't pay much attention and did it wrongly.

ChrisW, I think you're right - but yesterday while posting the question Stack exchange didn't show that specific question. But thanks, now I'm going to read that thread :) — Lucio, Jul 13 '20 at 07:40
You're right, that other topic is too much about "intentionally" (on purpose) which isn't applicable here. A similar story also about intention is The Story of Thera Cakkhupala which accompanies verse 1 of the Dhammapada. — ChrisW, Jul 13 '20 at 08:15
intention i s a necessary condition of karma, so if it was unintentional it was not "wrong". — , Jul 13 '20 at 18:20
thanks, sorta_buddhist - ita was definitely not intentional :) — Lucio, Jul 14 '20 at 19:47

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 14 '20 at 12:14

Your concern for the mosquito recalls the limitless heart's release:

MN43:31.2: Firstly, a mendicant meditates spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. They meditate spreading a heart full of compassion … They meditate spreading a heart full of rejoicing … They meditate spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. This is called the limitless heart’s release.

Establishing such a mindfulness in every moment of the day benefits one and all.

The mosquito is gone, yet for those who remain, perhaps a gentle puff of air might be more skillful if needed for the next mosquito. And perhaps, even then, a simple letting be might suffice. Abide in the limitless heart's release and your heart will know what to do.

Thank you - I for sure learned it, and next time I will not use anything else than a gentle puff of air, or better nothing at all as you are suggesting. — Lucio, Jul 14 '20 at 19:50

What to do if (somehow involuntarily) one kills an animal?

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