I am a doctoral student currently conducting cancer-related research. I approach my research with pride, believing that it may bring hope to many cancer patients someday. However, in the process, I have taken the lives of numerous mice. At times, I feel conflicted about causing pain and sacrificing the lives of animals in order to reduce human suffering and save lives. I have decided to transition to a field where I can minimize animal sacrifice as much as possible after graduation, but until then, I must continue with my current research. I am pondering how I should approach my research and how I should participate in it with what mindset. I seek wisdom from the teachings of the monks. It is said, Do not kill living beings carelessly. Killing is prohibited. The original meaning is to refrain from killing, be cautious, and not act recklessly.

If I say it again, it feels bad to kill unnecessarily, right? So, don't do it. If possible, it's better not to kill. That's what I'm talking about. As a practitioner, you can conduct this cancer research without using mice as experimental tools. It's best to do it that way. Secondly, if you can't do that, then don't engage in research or biology. You can switch to another department where you don't have to kill. Change your major. However, if you've already reached the doctoral program in your current department, it's hard to change. But if you want to change, you can. Just like when a teacher quits, you can switch from biology to another field boldly. Even if the salary is a bit lower, you can go that way. So, now, whether we choose a different path or conduct research through computer simulations nowadays, or something else...

We should develop research in a different way. Whether it's researching in a way like that or not, there is no other method. If I can only do this, isn't it necessary to do it? Whether it fits the teachings of the Buddha or not, just questioning this itself should be thrown away. No, even if the Buddha taught until death, why would he teach to research like this? Also, there is no law that we must strictly follow only the Buddha's teachings. In this world, there are more people studying following the teachings of Christianity, Jesus, and Mohammed than those following the Buddha's teachings. There are more people following the teachings of Hinduism as well, and they all live. So, I will keep what the Buddha taught. I will try to keep it during this research. I apologize if I cannot keep it. However, by researching this, I have [END OF TRANSCRIPT]

If saving a person becomes a sin, I will pay the price for the sin. Isn't it better for people to take a confident stance? If you can't do it, don't do it, and if you have to, then that's it. For example, if you have to run a fish market, and if you don't, it's best to run a fish market. Then, with the money earned there, whether saving a person or feeding more people by selling more fish, you should use a portion of your own money, like 10% or 20%. Or you should invest in security measures. So, isn't a somewhat proactive attitude necessary? If it's best to lead the era by achieving independence, but if you can't, you should just farm. And if that's not an option, as I see it, you end up becoming a prosecutor. It would be best to stop being a prosecutor, but the situation doesn't allow for that. So, by being a prosecutor, you end up playing a role in investigating independence activists, newspapers, and trials. Therefore, you should at least play a role in looking after things on a larger scale.

I may have taken the wrong path, but still, whether you appreciate my personality or not, or support me a little, if you can't even do that, then contribute a part of my salary to the independence movement fund. That would be a level of security. Being inconsistent like that is not a desirable attitude as an executor. If I lack something, I lack it. If I have done wrong, I have. It would be nice to just quit, but I can't afford to. Then, even if I don't realize or know this sin, I will compensate for this mistake in another way. By doing this, if I continue my research in the future, I will play a role in saving many people's lives and helping those in need, not just making money for myself. I will treat those without money in my hospital, saving more lives with the knowledge I have gained. So, in the end, I will be able to help you all a little by stepping on your pain.

I think there should be a certain level of warmth like this. When I asked myself, I couldn't find the answer. But today, after listening to the monk's words, it seems to have become simple and clear. Thank you.

암 연구를 하며 수많은 쥐를 희생시켜서 회의감이 듭니다

법륜 스님 공식 유튜브 채널입니다.
법륜 스님의 강연을 통해  환경, 복지, 인권, 평화 등의 지구적 과제를 담마에 근거해 풀어가며 실천해가며 개인이 행복하고, 사회가 행복해지는 희망 세상을 만들어 갑니다.


This is the official YouTube channel of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim. Ven. Pomnyun Sunim's lectures offer insights into global challenges such as the environment, welfare, human rights, and peace, based on Buddhist teachings. Furthermore, through social practice, we strive to cultivate a hopeful world where individuals find contentment and society becomes happier.
