Buddhism has become one of the most popular religions in the world. Millions of people in many countries are inspired by the teachings of the Buddha. The teachings are the answers, guidance and hope to living a good life as traditionally it is believed that ‘life is complex and there is suffering’. Therefore, the Buddhist ethical teaching contains principles and practices to help one to improve their behaviours to remove suffering in life. ‘Ethics is a system of moral principles’, it involves individuals and societies making moral decisions. Buddhist derive their ethical codes from the narrative, doctrine and experiential of the Buddha and followers. It is believed that Buddhist ethics emphasize the framework of virtues, deontology and consequentialism. …show more content…
Some Buddhists (absolutists) argue that certain teachings can and should be applied to every situation as they are universally true. However, some Buddhist (utilitarians) believe that consideration of the circumstances and happiness should be taken into account when decisions are made. For example, the absolutist Buddhist believe sentient life forms are all creatures that respond to the environment, an act of killing will bring bad karma. Any killing of a sentient life is to be avoided to reduce the bad karmic force. Therefore most of the Buddhist monks adopt a vegetarian diet, renounce all form of violence and live in harmony with nature. On the other hand, utilitarian Buddhist killing a sentient life form can considered as an exception depending on the situation.(King, …show more content…
It is expected that The Five Precepts (pancasilam) known as the core doctrine teaching of Buddhism, which is similar to the Ten Commandments of Christianity and the core teaching of Judaism. These can be classify as deontology as they are a set of rules that all aim for the right actions. The first precept emphasise ‘to abstain from killing sentient life forms’ this is also stated in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-14) “you shall not murder”.(King, 2010) This implies acting non-violently and the most important is to act in loving and compassionate manners toward others. This teaching highlights the value of one not causing harm to the society and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself”. The second precept not only rejects the idea of stealing but also to inform people ‘never to take what is not given”. (King, 2010). Ideally, this also means be generous and do not take advantages or manipulate others. This will help the community by looking after one another and care for each other. This is also known as common good due to the decision made will take into consideration and benefit the community. The goal of Buddhist teaching is to refrain one’s mind from destructive actions as these harms are affected by the society and create mental disturbances that generates suffering.The Five Precepts doctrine not only align with other religion, but also
The teachings of Buddhism consists of the eight fold path, the four noble truths and the five precepts. These teachings contain rules that can be followed
Buddhism’s approach to ethics and practices are centred upon the principal beliefs of; the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts. By adhering to these guidelines, Buddhists are ensured that they are taking a step closer to escaping Samsara, and attaining the revered state of Nirvana,
Buddhism is a religion from the East that has spread to many different countries all over the world. It has spread to the West, and has had a great influence and impact, especially in America. However, the Buddhism that is practiced in the United States is not exactly the same as the one that is practiced in Asian countries. If Buddhism differs between the different traditions of the Asian countries themselves, it is obvious that it will differ greatly in America as well. However, even though there are obvious differences, it is important to maintain the core values and fundamental principles the same. This research explores how the three different types of Buddhist practitioners have adopted Buddhism in America, and it describes some differences
Buddhists also abstain from harming or slaughter of animals. This practice is due to a belief in reincarnation as an animal and other forms of lives . There is hierarchy in the scale of virtues .The virtue of justice is the supreme virtue and the virtue of nonviolence occupies the lowest rank in the scale of virtues . A killing of unjust people is demanded by justice .The spirit of nonviolence causes the evil doers to go unpunished .
This video lecture course is about Buddhism and how it is valid in the terms of modern psychology, hence the name Buddhism and Modern Psychology. In this essay, I will answer two questions pertaining to the topic of how Buddhism in the eyes of psychology is valid. The questions have been chosen out of a list and they are the ones that I felt were most relevant to the topic.
Although Buddhism and Christianity show several parallels, their three key differences are that Buddhists do not believe in one divine being, and have different views about both the purpose of life and the concept of afterlife. Buddhists do not believe in a Supreme Being, God or Creator, though many Buddhists today worship the Buddha - the central figure of Buddhism - and his teachings. They view him as someone with a universal spirit, an essence that can be attained by everyone rather than only a higher deity that rules over the world (Brown). Especially in Mahayana Buddhism, the concept of the Buddha nature is fundamental (“Pure Land”).... ...
He also makes reference to the long history of religious intolerance and persecution within the Christian tradition, brought about by greed, mistrust, and ignorance. He emphasizes the need for continuous practice, prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and personal growth within individual religious traditions and cultures. We must make the spirit of the Buddha and the spirit of Christ part of our everyday lives. He explores the “Five Wonderful Percepts of Buddhism”: reverence for life, generosity, responsible sexual behavior, speaking and listening deeply, and ingesting only wholesome substances; comparing them to the teachings of Christ. These precepts are without a doubt, very similar to the principles thought by Christ and his apostles. Each precept or teaching works with the next, interconnecting and building upon each other toward the same goal to end suffering, bring about personal and worldly understanding, world peace, and spiritual
230). There are two main “types” Buddhism that are practiced around the world. The first is Theravadin, and the second is Mahayana (Smith-Stoner, 2005, p. 228). Buddhism contains a “message of salvation” that considered the “Four Noble Truths” (Leming & Dickinson, 2011 p. 134). They are, the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. Leming and Dickinson (2011) describe how the combination of ethics and meditation are the eightfold path to enlightenment (Leming & Dickinson, 2011 p. 136). The author believes it is important for practitioners to recognize the increasing numbers of people practicing Buddhism in the United States in order to enhance their ability to care for end of life needs in this population. Smith-Stoner (2005) states that Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions in the United States and that Colorado is one of the main population centers (Smith-Stoner, 2005, p. 229). In Buddhism, it is extremely important to be able to tame emotions and the mind which is done through meditation. The author thinks it is pertinent to know the
Buddhism, like most other religions, originated in a particular place at a particular time, and its roots are in forms and ideas that were part of the environment in which it developed. The most important of these areas at the time of the Buddha was the valley of the Ganges river which flows from west to east across most of northern India. It was here that the great religions of India first arose and flourished. Only later did they spread to the south. In the time of the Buddha, about 500 B.C.E., this area was undergoing a period of vigorous religious development.
In Peter Harvey’s, An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics, Buddhist values are explained to be centered around the goal of ending suffering. By overcoming greed and attachment, and hatred and delusion, one can end suffering by resolving the roots of unwholesome action. Through generosity and sharing, combined with restraint from theft and cheating, greed can be overcome. Monastic training and meditative training allows one to overcome subtler forms of attachment which are the keys of suffering.
Two of the essential attributes of religion are faith and worship. As the textbook explains the Mosaic covenant, Ten Commandments, not commitments and Precepts for an engaging Buddhism one can understand that there not only is a similarity but also a difference in each of the principles. In the beginning, the Mosaic Covenant talks about how God has given the Hebrew’s the Ten Commandments, as an individual reads further into the textbook they can encounter Michael Learner’s interpretation of the Ten Commandments. Both explain instructions and guidelines given from God to his people but with his intention Michael Learner’s work describes the Ten Commandments differently. For example, from the Mosaic covenant, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Judaism, pg 397) This quote states the fourth commandment about the Sabbath day. In Learner’s perspective “Observe the Sabbath”(Judaism, pg 422) explains a different interpretation but the same concept as the mosaic covenant. Secondly, the Precepts for an engaging Buddhism by Thich Nhat Hanh has a different understanding of guidelines but all fourteen precepts explain similar values as the mosaic covenant and Learner’s writings. All fourteen principles solve the problems of life by avoiding the bad causes. For instance, “Fourteenth: Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect.” (Buddhism, pg 386) This quote is one of the different precepts in
From the moment we are born we have the tendency of craving the worldly desires that we are exposed to. Its part of human nature to want an ideal life where you are either wealthy, powerful, happy or all of the above without any suffering involved. Although that ideal sounds phenomenal, it is the thought of limitation that drives many people to seek for something more than just worldly pleasures. As some stay within the lines of an insatiable life, others come to the realization that living a life with nothing but worldly pleasures and goals are ultimately not everlasting. This is the point where people go on to pursue something bigger than themselves, something that gives them a purpose and infinite joy or as most would call it, a religion. One of the most fascinating major world religions that many have chosen to follow for centuries is Buddhism. A very complex, yet intriguing religion that seeks for a way of life that ultimately releases a person from suffering and leads them to inner peace and joy.
Buddhism is a strict religion with restrictions that determines how a follower of the religion must live life. Buddhism is a large part of culture and society in south- eastern Asian countries. In the western hemisphere, there are simply not enough Buddhists to have a large impact on western society.
Buddhism is often thought of as an inherently and immutably pacifist religion, and it is certainly true that the first precept of Buddhism bans killing. But Buddhists, like the followers of most other religions, have in fact killed throughout their history .
A reason why Buddhist prefer not to harm and kill animals or natural life is because of karma. Many people in Buddhism believe that what goes around comes around, and that harming a living life would eventually come back to them, even if it is in another lifetime. The Five Precepts also states that we must abstain from killing or harming living beings, and following the Five Precepts also helps us improve our improper behavior, which may also help us stop suffering. Especially since in Buddhism the ultimate goal is to end suffering, not killing insects and animals in our environment is one of the main ways to avoid samara. Since the world and our life revolves around nature, it is important for us to try and preserve it. Buddhist also believe that everyone must be able to balance between the entire world and with nature. By doing this, people are able to find compassion and love towards the environment and for what is really important to the religion that they have faith in. Nothing and no one in the Buddhist religion should be discriminated, whether it is between men and women or even between animals and humans, nothing should ever be treated