Does eliminating viruses count as killing living beings?

Viruses are bacteria-like sentient beings that are harmful and of no benefit to humans. Since they are called sentient beings, killing them counts as killing. However, the precept against killing established by the Buddha does not include bacteria-like sentient beings, because in the human world of the Saha world, no one can avoid bacteria and still survive—except for those with great supernatural powers.

Bacteria-like sentient beings fill the sky and cover the earth; they are simply countless. Bacteria are everywhere—inside the body, on the skin's surface, and in the air. They are also present in food. Leavened flour foods rely on bacteria-like organisms to make the dough rise; various enzymes, pickled foods, and so on all depend on bacteria. Without bacteria, humans would not be able to enjoy many kinds of food and drink. Human survival must depend on bacteria-like sentient beings; otherwise, we could not survive. For example, the digestion, absorption, and excretion of food and drink, as well as the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines, all rely on the help of bacteria. There is nowhere in the body without bacteria—of course, bacteria include both beneficial and harmful ones. Harmful bacteria are those that can damage the human physical body, those that can cause humans to fall ill and die. Taking medicine and disinfecting are means to counteract this portion of bacteria. Only when these harmful bacteria die can the human body be healthy and life be safeguarded.

Strictly speaking, everyone has killed bacteria, both actively and passively. When the body cells of a person with strong immunity encounter invading viruses, they will actively devour these viruses, and humans are not even aware of it. If eliminating viruses counted as killing, then no one could keep the precepts established by the Buddha, and no one could attain the Way. From this we can know that eliminating viruses does not count as killing. In order to protect humans, a higher form of life, eliminating the lowest forms of harmful life is something that cannot be avoided; the evolution of life requires doing so.