In Buddhism, life is understood to begin at conception. The descent of consciousness into the fertilized egg marks the start of sentient existence. As such, abortion is viewed as the deliberate ending of a human life, and thus a serious breach of the first precept: to refrain from killing living beings .
Buddhist texts and ethical commentaries are clear in their moral opposition to abortion. It is typically regarded as more serious the later it occurs in the pregnancy and when the justification for it is weaker. Even when performed early, it is considered more grave than killing an animal under similar circumstances .
Yet, Buddhism is not rigid. It recognizes moral complexity and emphasizes intention, context, and compassion. In cases such as saving the mother’s life, abortion might be considered a “necessary evil”. The same could apply in situations of rape, severe trauma, or serious fetal impairment — though even here, ethical concerns persist .
Despite the moral clarity of Buddhist principles, there is an ambivalence about legal enforcement. Many Buddhists distinguish between what is morally wrong and what should be illegal. For instance, Western Buddhist teachers like Roshi Jiyu Kennett and writers like Sunyata argue that while abortion may be wrong, criminalizing it can lead to greater harm, such as unsafe procedures and maternal death. Ethics, they say, must involve genuine choice and not be imposed by law .
This gives rise to a distinctive anti-abortion but pro-choice stance among some Buddhists — a position grounded in compassion for both the unborn and the pregnant woman. The purpose of ethics, they argue, is to reduce suffering, and forcing a woman into an unsafe or psychologically devastating situation may violate this aim .
Across Asia, attitudes vary. In Japan and Korea, abortion is often viewed as a “necessary evil” under many circumstances. In contrast, Sri Lankan and Tibetan Buddhists tend to adopt stricter views. Thailand reflects a middle ground: Buddhism strongly discourages abortion, but social acceptance and legal toleration have increased .
Rather than supporting liberal abortion laws, Buddhism encourages prevention through education, family planning, and access to contraception. It also promotes alternatives like adoption, seeing this as a compassionate option that preserves life while addressing the needs of the mother .
When abortion has occurred, Buddhism stresses remorse, purification, and compassionate healing. Rituals like mizuko kuyō in Japan and teachings from Tibetan teachers such as Sogyal Rinpoche aim to help women acknowledge the gravity of the act, seek spiritual healing, and dedicate merit to the unborn child .
In conclusion, Buddhism generally sees abortion as morally wrong, rooted in the act of killing. However, it also urges compassion, reflection, and context-sensitive understanding. Rather than condemning, it seeks to guide — not through coercion, but through awareness and spiritual responsibility.