Buddhist ethics

The term Buddhist Ethics summarizes morality rules and moral guidelines of Buddhism together. The "Path of the Buddha " ( Skt. Buddha - marga ) sees itself as a practical guide to life. The highest value and the healing goal of Buddhism is salvation ( Nirvana ). Buddhist ethics different behaviors that are on the way to salvation goal conducive ( kusala ) or a hindrance ( akusala ).

Autonomous Ethics

Buddhist ethics is a way of self-redemption. This notion is fundamentally different from the Christian idea of salvation through the grace of God. Buddhist ethics as an autonomous ethics rated behaviors according to their usefulness for the attainment of salvation objective. Other religions justify their values ​​heteronomous in divine commandments, which are to be followed under threat of penalty. Because of this difference is discussed again and again, whether Buddhism is a religion or a philosophy.

Unlike other religions is spoken in Buddhist ethics less in absolute, clear-cut categories such as right or wrong, good or evil. Instead, follow the Buddhist ethics of teaching of Karma, which refers to the natural consequences of actions. So does the term kusala that a behavior is wholesome, meritorious or the goal of salvation conducive. The antonym akusala called unwholesome, damaged and the goal of salvation hindering potential abuses.

Buddhist ethics attaches great importance to training the mind. Buddha himself and later teacher -developed exercises that are designed to help students on their way to salvation goal, most notably the meditation. But the effort to certain inner attitudes such as compassion ( Karuna ) is one of the Buddhist parlance of the " exercises ".

Basics

Much of the Buddhist canonical scriptures contains suttas ( sutras ) Buddha and important Buddhist teacher for ethical training. They describe numerous exercises and exercise paths, all leading to salvation. The various schools and systems of Buddhism differ in the selection and interpretation of texts, and the selection and weighting of individual exercises.

The common basis of all Buddhist schools - and thus of Buddhist ethics - are the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path. They describe the goal of salvation ( freedom from suffering ) and how to get there. In addition, there are various summaries of important elements of Buddhist doctrine and ethics, which are used by most Buddhist schools.

The term "Triple exercise" brings together the three overarching areas of Buddhist ethics together: morality ( sila ), collection ( samadhi ) and wisdom ( panna ). Under the heading " Paramita " other practice areas are yet to be recorded as generosity ( Dana ) and loving kindness ( metta ).

Morality rules

The five precepts ( Pancasila ) are considered by monks and lay followers of all Buddhist schools as binding:

The Noble Eightfold Path refers to other precepts, which are also of interest for laymen, especially for behavior in everyday life and profession.

Buddhist monks and nuns have to submit to the extensive Buddhist monastic rules.

The Four Sublime Verweilzustände ( Brahmavihara ) are exercises for the virtues:

Discussion

A special feature of the ethics of Zen Buddhism is the situation ethics.

Mindfulness ( sati ) is known as " right mindfulness " ( samma siti ), the seventh element of the Noble Eightfold Path, and thus one of the basic qualities to be aimed at. Mindfulness is to preserve as under all circumstances. From the high value of a mindful and alert mind, the prohibition of intoxicating substances from ( 5 Sila ) is derived.

Kindness ( metta ) is an active, selfless, not possessive form of love that seeks the welfare of all sentient beings ( cf. altruism ). Kindness is an expression of compassion ( karuna ), a cardinal virtue of Buddhist ethics (see Christian charity ).

Love of enemies, peacefulness and non-violence are generally considered desirable, in several places, such as the first Sila, Buddha urges his followers not to harm other sentient beings ( ahimsa). The Engaged Buddhism is also working on a political level for these values ​​.