In a society where self-sacrifice ending in death is considered to be suicide and suicide is considered to be an immoral act, it’s hard to grasp the idea that, on the other side of the world, many cultures deem self-sacrifice as heroic.
I am not describing self-sacrifice in the context which one person kills themselves merely because they are depressed and don’t want to live — that is suicide — another complex issue can’t be declared selfish or selfless.
Instead, I am trying to grasp the idea of oneself sacrificing their life for the better of humanity or for a reason they feel is a better good than they could produce by living.
To me, a selfless self-sacrifice is intricately courageous whether you chose to view it tragically or positively.
I define self-sacrifice as purposely risking the possibility of otherwise-avoidable death for the perceived gain of oneself, of certain others or of a cause.
The definition varies so greatly between cultures. In many cultures, self-sacrifice is considered to be a moral act that shows selflessness. In our culture, self-sacrifice or suicide is considered to be a selfish act, usually ending up hurting more people than helping anyone.
Self-sacrifice sends a semi-automatic tragic tone. When we think of self-sacrifice as Americans, we may turn to imagery such as Jesus Christ on the cross or Japanese Kamikaze pilots during World War II.
If someone is persecuted in such gruesome ways as the ways that Jesus Christ was described as being crucified on the cross, it is easy to automatically think negatively about such events.
Certainly, what is said to have been done to Jesus isn’t in any way morally right, yet the way Jesus sacrificed himself to save others is beautiful and considered heroic and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
What if no one in the world was willing to stand up for what they believed was right? Whether you feel self-sacrifice is heroic, selfish or even in cases such as suicide pilots and terrorists, I feel it is important to understand the determination and strength it takes to put one’s own life on the line.
To be so sure and convinced their life is worth taking because they feel it would better humanity is beyond just selfishness.
Martyrdom is a form of self-sacrifice that, for better or worse, goes beyond selfishness. A martyr is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle.”
Martyrs throughout history have been linked to many different religions, rooting back to Christianity. These martyrs sacrifice their own life for their religion for God.
Many societies, such as China, have a different view of self-sacrifice then we hold here in the U.S. According to sacredtext.com, Chinese ideals are defined by what is good for the family, for the group, rather than just for the self.
It is through self-sacrifice for the larger good that one experiences true joy and fulfillment.
From my understanding of my Buddhism class, Buddhism is a religion that is grounded on the ideals of self-sacrifice through human Bodhisattvas.
Within their Bodhisattva vow, they do not attain enlightenment or nirvana — which is most Buddhist followers’ main goal — and vow to be reborn over and over again into a world that Buddhism attains is full of suffering as compassionate beings.
In different societies and religions, there is a difference between living a selfless life and doing nice deeds outside of ones self, but it isn’t fair to say it is heroic and someone who chooses to give their own life for the greater of other people isn’t.
Perhaps, it is taking it too far in your selflessness when you risk another person’s life, but it is still a selfless act to willingly kill yourself whether for your country, religion or just humanity.
In John 12:24, Jesus tells his disciples before his death, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Maybe perceiving the truth of one’s life is realizing that the truth is something bigger than the self, beyond the self, which ultimately abolishes the self.
If taking away your own life for the bigger picture of what you believe will help others then it is courageous, heroic and a rare act should be deemed, if not heroic, at least valiantly understood.
I am not describing self-sacrifice in the context which one person kills themselves merely because they are depressed and don’t want to live — that is suicide — another complex issue can’t be declared selfish or selfless.
Instead, I am trying to grasp the idea of oneself sacrificing their life for the better of humanity or for a reason they feel is a better good than they could produce by living.
To me, a selfless self-sacrifice is intricately courageous whether you chose to view it tragically or positively.
I define self-sacrifice as purposely risking the possibility of otherwise-avoidable death for the perceived gain of oneself, of certain others or of a cause.
The definition varies so greatly between cultures. In many cultures, self-sacrifice is considered to be a moral act that shows selflessness. In our culture, self-sacrifice or suicide is considered to be a selfish act, usually ending up hurting more people than helping anyone.
Self-sacrifice sends a semi-automatic tragic tone. When we think of self-sacrifice as Americans, we may turn to imagery such as Jesus Christ on the cross or Japanese Kamikaze pilots during World War II.
If someone is persecuted in such gruesome ways as the ways that Jesus Christ was described as being crucified on the cross, it is easy to automatically think negatively about such events.
Certainly, what is said to have been done to Jesus isn’t in any way morally right, yet the way Jesus sacrificed himself to save others is beautiful and considered heroic and the ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
What if no one in the world was willing to stand up for what they believed was right? Whether you feel self-sacrifice is heroic, selfish or even in cases such as suicide pilots and terrorists, I feel it is important to understand the determination and strength it takes to put one’s own life on the line.
To be so sure and convinced their life is worth taking because they feel it would better humanity is beyond just selfishness.
Martyrdom is a form of self-sacrifice that, for better or worse, goes beyond selfishness. A martyr is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle.”
Martyrs throughout history have been linked to many different religions, rooting back to Christianity. These martyrs sacrifice their own life for their religion for God.
Many societies, such as China, have a different view of self-sacrifice then we hold here in the U.S. According to sacredtext.com, Chinese ideals are defined by what is good for the family, for the group, rather than just for the self.
It is through self-sacrifice for the larger good that one experiences true joy and fulfillment.
From my understanding of my Buddhism class, Buddhism is a religion that is grounded on the ideals of self-sacrifice through human Bodhisattvas.
Within their Bodhisattva vow, they do not attain enlightenment or nirvana — which is most Buddhist followers’ main goal — and vow to be reborn over and over again into a world that Buddhism attains is full of suffering as compassionate beings.
In different societies and religions, there is a difference between living a selfless life and doing nice deeds outside of ones self, but it isn’t fair to say it is heroic and someone who chooses to give their own life for the greater of other people isn’t.
Perhaps, it is taking it too far in your selflessness when you risk another person’s life, but it is still a selfless act to willingly kill yourself whether for your country, religion or just humanity.
In John 12:24, Jesus tells his disciples before his death, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Maybe perceiving the truth of one’s life is realizing that the truth is something bigger than the self, beyond the self, which ultimately abolishes the self.
If taking away your own life for the bigger picture of what you believe will help others then it is courageous, heroic and a rare act should be deemed, if not heroic, at least valiantly understood.
