4 Kinds of Historical Ethics
Upanisadic (Mysticism)
B = no creator God
Brahmanism (Ritualism)
B = sacrifice not valid
Jainism (asceticism)
B = austerities weaken mind
Materialists (no religion)
B = believe in religion, rebirth
3 Foundations of Buddhist Ethics
Advocacy and Justification of Moral Life
Good/bad, Right/wrong
Co-dependent Arising
Recognition of the Efficacy of Moral Acts
Every intentional act has a result
Wholesome or Unwholesome
Recognition of the Necessity and Desirability of Human Effort
One needs to make an effort to lead moral life
Buddha provide "laws" for monks and lay persons
Kusala & Akusala
Wholesome and unwholesome
Good action, karma independent
Punna & Papa
Good and evil
Due to ignorance, ego
Punna based on merit, affects karma
Buddhist morality mostly psychological, focused on mind
Psychological attributes
Any act based on greed, hatred, delusion = bad
Based on generosity, joy, wisdom = good
Consequential attributes
Any act causes suffering = unwholesome
Any act causes happy consequence = wholesome
One should reflect before, during, after an action of body, speech, thought
Nirvana attributes
Anything that leads to Nirvana = wholesome
Anything that leads away = unwholesome
Moral checks
Conscience (self-blame)
"Public opinion"
Moral sense
Distinction between man and beast = conscience, moral sense, righteousness
Moral shame & moral dread
Significance of Buddhist Ethics
Buddha = teacher, not God, won't judge actions
Voluntarism
Natural Law
Your good same as others' good
Benefits of your morality affects others in society
3 Layers of moral evils in ones mind
Dormant tendencies
7 anusayas = complying, resisting, view, uncertainty, conceit, worldly lust, ignorance
Turbulent states of mind
External manifestations
3 Dimensions of Buddhist Moral Training
Discipline, concentration, wisdom
Noble Eightfold Path
Means and the end
lobha = greed
dosa = hatred
moha = delusion
alobha = generosity
adosa = sympathetic joy
amoha = wisdom
kusala = wholesome, skillful
akusala = unwholesome
punna = good
papa = evil
anusayas = proclivities, tendencies