Buddhist Ethics

This Element offers a brief overview of Buddhist thought and modern scholarly approaches to its diverse forms of moral reflection.

Maria Heim (Author)

9781108706629, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2020

75 pages
15 x 23 x 0.5 cm, 0.13 kg

'This concise and informative book reveals the diversity (or even disagreement to some degree) of the notion of morality within Buddhism rather than a generalized theory called 'Buddhist ethics'.' Hu?nh Cao Nh?t Quang, Religious Studies Review

'Ethics' was not developed as a separate branch of philosophy in Buddhist traditions until the modern period, though Buddhist philosophers have always been concerned with the moral significance of thoughts, emotions, intentions, actions, virtues, and precepts. Their most penetrating forms of moral reflection have been developed within disciplines of practice aimed at achieving freedom and peace. This Element first offers a brief overview of Buddhist thought and modern scholarly approaches to its diverse forms of moral reflection. It then explores two of the most prominent philosophers from the main strands of the Indian Buddhist tradition – Buddhaghosa and ??ntideva – in a comparative fashion.

1. Introduction
2. Buddhaghosa and the analysis of moral experience and development
3. ??ntideva and an ethic of radical compassion
4. Conclusions
References.

Subject Areas: Buddhist life & practice [HREP], Buddhist worship, rites & ceremonies [HREC], Buddhism [HRE]