Significance of Murder

Murder, as defined in various contexts, involves the unlawful killing of another person with full awareness and intention, highlighting its moral implications and emotional consequences. In Mahayana Buddhism, it refers specifically to causing the death of a living being intentionally, while in Theravada, it includes actions like Devadatta's manipulation of Prince Ajatasattu. Historically in India, murder is linked to drastic conflict resolution, exemplified by Hickey’s killing of his wife and depicted in Eliot's plays, where it serves as a central theme.

Synonyms: Homicide, Killing, Assassination, Execution, Extermination

In Spanish: Asesinato; In Finnish: Murhata

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Murder'

Buddhism Books

Murder in Buddhism signifies the intentional act of killing another being, marked by full awareness. It also involves moral wrongdoing, as illustrated by Devadatta's manipulation of Prince Ajatasattu against his father.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The act of killing another person (paropaghata) with full awareness and intention, specifically causing the death of a living being.[1]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka

(1) The act that Devadatta coerced Prince Ajatasattu into contemplating against his father.[2]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

The concept of Murder in local and regional sources

History Books

Murder serves as a central theme in Eliot's plays, exploring moral implications and emotional consequences. It manifests through characters like Hickey, whose drastic action reflects a desire to break free from failures and conflict.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) A profound act of violence that serves as a central theme in multiple Eliot plays, examining the moral implications and emotional fallout associated with such actions.[3] (2) A time-honored drastic solution to conflicts within the narrative of domestic dramas.[4] (3) The act of unlawfully killing another person, which Neelu resorts to as a part of his criminal undertakings.[5] (4) Hickey's drastic action—killing his wife, Evelyn—stemming from a desire to halt his cyclical failures and to relieve her from what he perceives as misery.[6]