RG ST 21 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Buddhist Ethics, Engaged Buddhism, Loving-Kindness
Document Summary
Various forms of moral reasoning have arisen in different buddhist traditions. Begins with origin of buddhism in india 2500 years ago. Many ideas shared - many specific to particular culture and historical period. Buddhist ethics concerned with karma and rebirth (samsara) Virtuous action beneficial to self/others now and in future lives. Non-virtuous (ie. based on greed, hatred, delusion) non-beneficial to self/ others. Concern with karma and rebirth leads to formulation of 5 precepts (sila) Ethics (sila) along with meditation (samadhi) and insight (prajna) are part of the 3. Each must be cultivated together to achieve nirvana. Ethical actions can be mental, verbal, or physical. Buddhist ethics advocate values such as honesty, non-violence, generosity. Buddhists emphasize not only actions (karma) but their underlying psychological factors. Moral responsibility based on intention or volition rather than solely the deed itself moral choice. Abhidharma offers analysis of mind - emotions, dispositions, tendencies that shape choices.
