Ethics in Buddhism & Jainism

• 13 Sep 2018

Ethics in Buddhism

• Buddhist ethics are neither arbitrary standards invented by man for his own utilitarian purpose nor are they arbitrarily imposed.
• Man-made laws and social customs do not form the basis of Buddhist ethics.
• Buddhist ethics finds its foundation not on the changing social customs but rather on the unchanging laws of nature.

Morality in Buddhism

• Buddhist morality judges an as action good or bad basing on the intention or motivation from which it originates.
• Actions that have their roots in greed, hatred or selfishness are considered to be bad - called Akusala Kamma.
• Actions which are rooted in the virtues of generosity, love and wisdom are meritorious and good - called Kusala Kamma.

Three Essentials for Life

• Buddhism considers - Wisdom (Prajna), Ethical conduct (Sila) and the Concentration (Samadi) as the three essentials for life.
• Wisdom comes from right view, it leads to the right intention.
• The right view and intentions are guides to ethical conduct - right speech, right action, right livelihood and right effort.
• Concentration - pointed focus is ‘self – activity’ to have right mindfulness and right concentration.
• When wisdom, ethics and concentration become way of life; one gains enlightenment.

Pancasila (Five Refrains)

• Buddhism invites Buddhists to adopt five precepts voluntarily in order to live together in civilised communities with mutual trust and respect.
• Following these five precepts helps the Buddhist make a spiritual journey towards liberation. These are:
  1. no killing,
  2. no stealing,
  3. no lying,
  4. no sexual misconduct, and
  5. no intoxicants.

Ten Demeritorious Deeds

• People are advised to keep away from deeds rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion as they will bring suffering to others.
• These ten deeds are divided into three sets:
  1. Actions of the Body: Bodily actions such as killing of living beings, stealing, and unlawful sexual intercourse.
  2. Verbal Actions: lying, slander, harsh speech, and meaningless talk.
  3. Actions of the Mind: Covetousness or being desirous, especially of things belonging to others, ill-will, wrong views.

Ethics in Jainism

• Jainism provides threefold path known as Triratna (three jewels) for the attainment of Moksha (salvation):
  1. Right faith (Samyag Darsana),
  2. Right knowledge (Samyag Jnana),
  3. Right conduct (Samyag Caritra).
• They work like a medicine to cure a sick mind– faith in its efficacy, knowledge by its use and actual taking of the medicine, right conduct.

Pancha-mahavratas

In general, Jaina morality consists of the essential observance of Pancha-mahavratas which are the ingredients of right conduct. They are:

1. Ahimsa – nonviolence or abstinence from all injuries to life, either trasa (mobile) or sthavara (immobile).
   • Jainism emphasises upon equality to all life, so killing a living being is violence.
   • Hurting others through speech by intentional insults and by making others suffer emotionally is also violence.
   • Since a householder cannot lead a life without violence, therefore, one should discharge his/her worldly responsibilities with the minimum injuries to others.
   • But killing animals for eating is strictly prohibited.
2. Satyam - Abstinence from falsehood; rather that speaking what is true, good and pleasant.
   • One should not hesitate to tell the truth even when his/her life is in danger.
   • But at the same time; if the truth results brings harm to others, in such case, the truth should be withheld in the interest of the others.
3. Asteyam - Abstinence from stealing.
   • Stealing has various dimensions such as – stealing others property, directing others to steal, receiving stolen property or retaining things with a motto ‘finders keepers’.
4. Brahmacharya - abstinence from sensual and casual pleasures.
   • A person must not look at women with an evil intention.
   • Treat opposite genders with respect.
5. Aparigraha - Abstinence from amassing wealth greedily or any kind of attachments.
   • Each householder needs money to lead a decent life but mindless accumulation of wealth leads to suffering and unhappiness.
   • Therefore, one must have limited necessity and learn to be content.