The Sin of Abortion as Killing

The original text of the first section of the Upasaka Five Precepts Sutra states: Furthermore, regarding abortion: If one administers vomit-inducing or purgative drugs to a pregnant woman, or drugs administered through any orifice, or pierces blood vessels or channels, or even administers tear-inducing drugs, with this thought: 'Through this cause, may the woman die.' If the woman dies, one commits an unpardonable offense. If she does not die immediately, but later dies because of this, one also commits an unpardonable offense. If she does not die immediately and later does not die because of it, this is a medium offense, pardonable. If one causes an abortion intending to kill the mother: If the mother dies, one commits an unpardonable offense. If the fetus dies, this offense is pardonable. If both die, this offense is unpardonable. If neither dies, this is a medium offense, pardonable. If one performs an abortion intending to kill the fetus: If the fetus dies, one commits an unpardonable offense. If the fetus does not die, this is a medium offense, pardonable. If the mother dies, this is a medium offense, pardonable. If both die, one commits an unpardonable offense. This is called the method of killing through abortion.

Explanation: To elaborate on the case of killing through abortion: If one gives vomit-inducing or purgative drugs to a pregnant woman, or administers purgative drugs through any orifice, or pierces blood vessels or channels, or even gives her tear-inducing drugs, thinking: 'May this woman die by this means.' If the woman dies, the upasaka commits an unpardonable offense. If the woman does not die immediately but later dies because of these drugs, the upasaka also commits an unpardonable offense. If the woman does not die immediately and later does not die because of it, he commits a medium pardonable offense. If the upasaka causes an abortion intending to kill that pregnant mother: If the mother dies, he commits an unpardonable offense; if the fetus dies, he commits a pardonable offense; if both die, he commits an unpardonable offense. If neither dies, he commits a medium pardonable offense. If he performs the abortion method intending to kill the fetus: If the fetus dies, he commits an unpardonable offense. If the fetus does not die, he commits a medium pardonable offense. If the mother dies, he commits a medium pardonable offense. If both die, he commits an unpardonable offense. This is the method of killing through abortion. Why, when intending to kill the mother, if the fetus dies, does the upasaka commit only a pardonable offense? Because the upasaka did not harbor the intent to kill the fetus; the fetus died as a consequence of the mother's death. Why, when intending to kill the fetus, if the mother dies, does the upasaka commit only a pardonable offense? For the same reason as above: the upasaka did not harbor the intent to kill the mother; the mother died as a consequence of the fetus's death.