Question: I want to know how *suicide* is viewed in Buddhism. I know that it is not viewed positively, but I want to know why. Is it because it brings grief to others? Is that the only reason? Or there is something else..? 
I think that if you die happily in a calm state because you wish to, there is no negative energy within you.. so I don't understand why suicide is such a bad thing. *(the reasons I think are the grief that will bring to the family and that one's negative energy will linger)*

Buddhism also varies among countries and cultures (I'm from the East Asia), but I believe it all began with the core teachings of Buddha and I just want to learn his teachings.

Thank you.

Answer: 
Generally, a calm & happy person is not inclined to commit suicide. Generally, a person thinks about committing suicide because they are unhappy & suffering from *emotional* pain. 

In the Pali suttas, only enlightened beings are reported to have ended life. This occurred in at least two situations: 

1. Terminal illness with totally disabling pain (e.g. [MN 144](http://www.yellowrobe.com/component/content/article/120-majjhima-nikaya/286-channovda-sutta-advice-to-channa.html)), which was unblameworthy.
2. Revulsion towards the meaningless of phenomena (e.g. [SN 54.9](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn54/sn54.009.than.html)), which was both unpraiseworthy & unnecessary.

If a person commits suicide because of *emotional suffering*, in Buddhism, this is considered to be unpraiseworthy for at least three reasons: 

1. craving exists for a certain state of being;
2. faith has not been placed in the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha & Noble Eightfold Path to overcome the emotional pain & suffering, which can be overcome with right practise; and
3. it can result in suffering arising in other people, such as mother, father, family & friends.
Suicide is the result of hatred towards yourself, perhaps others or a thing (sickness). Hatred is an unwholesome mental state which will result in a birth in a lower realm. 

This is a disputed subject in Buddhism. There is an extended discussion at this link: <https://dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=27879&hilit=>