The Act of Killing in Games Represents Defiling Mental Karma

Disciple Rusha said: I used to think that killing in games was fake and didn't count as creating killing karma. But after deepening my study of Buddhism, I feel that as long as hatred and killing intent arise, it contradicts the Buddha's teachings and is impure and improper. After reading the Sutra on the Five Precepts, I learned that even killing imaginary insects violates the precepts. Practitioners should always be vigilant against all worldly desires and evil thoughts within their minds; only by striving to distance themselves can they subdue them, ultimately cultivating their cessation. The journey from learning to upholding the precepts is truly crucial.

Rusha is correct. Even simulated fighting and killing in games constitute a form of hatred, indulging and reinforcing hatred and resentment. It is equally defiling and creates negative karma. Whether the action is real or not, whether it truly exists or is illusory, the moment the mind stirs with thought, it becomes mental karma. It is affliction and defilement; it is a violation of the precepts. Just as Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha said, every thought arising in sentient beings is a transgression. Game developers only aim to exploit human psychology for profit, without considering whether they are indulging and reinforcing humanity's greed, hatred, and delusion. Players also don't consider this level; they only focus on indulging themselves to derive pleasure. It's not just the secular world exploiting sentient beings' greed for personal gain; within Buddhism, those with ulterior motives also seek personal profit. They exploit sentient beings' greedy psychology, knowing what they want and like, then provide exactly that. Once sentient beings taste the benefits, they fiercely protect it, committing all manner of unwholesome acts without even realizing it.

Everyone considers the Five Precepts as precepts, but actually, these are worldly dharmas. They are the conduct of virtuous gentlemen, matters of cultivation, character, and virtue—things everyone should do well. Those who wish to be reborn as humans in the next life, or even wish to be reborn as humans life after life, must constantly examine their physical, verbal, and mental actions everywhere and cannot act recklessly. Attaining a human rebirth has conditions. Can one fulfill these conditions oneself? Is there negative karma obstructing the attainment of a human rebirth?