Question: “Hello! I was wondering if, in a theoretical situation, someone found an animal in pain, dying and was suffering badly; would it be against buddhism to put the animal out of it’s severe suffering by killing it? ( As painlessly as possible that is ).”
It is very situational. In circumstances where there is absolutely anything we can do to save a living being, then we must do it. For practitioners who take the Bodhisattvas Vows, sometimes that means risking your own life to save others. But then there are situations where there is truly nothing else we can do. Though our intentions are good, we will still be affected by negative karma, though on the lesser side based on our helpful intentions.
At my temple, we have a “mini temple,” basically a meditation room in the garden that at one point or another gets a hornets nest or two inside. Because it’s a “popular” spot for meditators and visitors, someone eventually has to go in there to remove the nests and spray down the room to kill anything else in hiding for the sake of the safety of others.
When and if in a situation where killing is needed, it’s important to have the right intention and do everything we can first before taking life. Then, if having to take life, also important to pray for the being. For example, when I’m in this situation, I will pray: “I’m sorry. May you be reborn in a better life. Namo Amitabha Buddha. Namo Amitabha Buddha. Namo Amitabha Buddha…” repeating Amitabha’s name ten times.
Smile and be well!