The Buddhist Theory of Ethics

Miranda Chan

Mr. Minifie HZT4UR-02 May 24 2013

Buddhism began approximately 2500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama, who is also known as the Buddha, shared his teachings with numerous individuals. After practicing many religious rituals such as praying, meditating and fasting, he finally understood the basic truths of life, and can finally answer the question What is the cause of suffering? (Buddhanet). Some of his teachings include the Three Universal Truths, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts. Buddha also taught others not to worship him as a god, and he encouraged the practice of non-violence and patience. Buddhism also emphasizes the importance of relationship with others (Philosophy: Q&T, p.264). Essentially, the main goal of Buddhism is to end suffering and achieve Nirvana by living a life of simplicity and eliminating all desires (Philosophy: Q&T, p.264). Since Buddhism focuses on self moral development through meditation, it can possibly be linked to the ethics branch of philosophy because ethics deals with the study of theories of moral and morality (Philosophy: Q&T, p.242). Likewise, it is a school of metaphysical thought since Buddhists believe that suffering and confusion derive from a misconceived perception of reality, such as believing that everything is permanent. In relation, metaphysics is the study of the basic structures of reality (Philosophy: Q&T, p.112). With that being said, Buddhism can perhaps be considered as a philosophy as it is a guideline for a way of living and coexisting in harmony. Buddhism is a motivational approach to life and it is also very inspirational. Its beliefs and ethics allow one to live a peaceful and harmonious life. Because Buddhists practice non-violence, it can be considered as a moral act according to the theory of utilitarianism because non-violence result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people since no one is being harmed (Philosophy: Q&T, p.273). Additionally, Buddhism meets Kants deontological theory because he believed that individuals should ignore consequences and focus on their duty (Philosophy: Q&T, p.277). Similarly, Buddhists are called to follow their dharma or duty, in order to move closer to nirvana. They also believe that practicing nonviolence is an unconditional moral obligation, as it is stated in the Eightfold Path as right action (Philosophy: Q&T, p.264). For this reason, Buddhists are classified as ethical absolutists because they believe in one universally acceptable moral code (Philosophy: Q&T, p.257). For example, since

Buddhists follow the concept of cause and effect, they would not encourage abortion since bad karma is incurred from any act of murder, whatever the justifications. Moreover, since Buddhists do not wonder the existence of God but rather focus on overcoming Tanha (craving or desire) by clearing the thoughts of the mind, meditating and following the middle way, they can be considered as virtue ethicists. Like Buddhists, virtue ethicists emphasize the role of character. They believe that one should be guided by his or her good character rather than by simply weighing the consequences of specific actions. (Philosophy: Q&T, p.268). Furthermore, Buddhism can somewhat be linked to egoism since egoists focuses on the greatest good for the individual person (Philosophy: Q&T, p.279). Buddhists also focus on the greatest good for themselves by meditating there, they can reflect on themselves and find the truth of life and move closer to Nirvana. They also focus on improving themselves by following a modest, healthy, and non-craving lifestyle. In addition, Buddhists play a role in the ongoing debate of the treatment of non-human animals. Philosophers such as Aristotle and Aquinas claim that non-human animals have no moral standing because they do not have souls (Philosophy: Q&T, p.296). However, philosophers such as Voltaire and Locke argue that animals have intrinsic values because the animals mere existence qualifies them for membership of the moral community (Philosophy: Q&T, p.298). Individuals of the Buddhist faith will most likely agree with Voltaire and Locke because they believe that all living creatures should be treated with compassion because previous individuals were reincarnated as other creatures (Philosophy: Q&T, p.264). Lastly, the Buddhist belief of the middle way can be compared to Aristotles golden mean. Aristotle stated that generosity, for instance, is a mean between stinginess and wastefulness (Philosophy: Q&T, p.244), while the Buddhist ethic of the middle way is not being wealthy and spoiling yourself, and not living in extreme hardship and starving yourself. This ethic is successful in teaching individuals to have self-control (Philosophy: Q&T, p.254). Ultimately, the Buddhism ethic is to eliminate desires, practice non-violence, and follow the middle way in order to achieve Nirvana.

There are many influential individuals who can be considered as those who practice the ethics of Buddhism, such as Mahatma Ghandi and Mother Teresa. A particular example of an individual who practices the Buddhism faith is Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. He is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and is believed to be the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. In 1959, the Dalai Lama was forced to escape Tibet due to the invasion of the Chinese communists. Since then, the Dalai Lama has struggled to fight for the liberation of Tibet without using violence (Dalai Lama Biography). He inevitably portrayed the theory of act utilitarianism because his sacrifice of leaving his homeland lead to the greatest good for the greatest number of people since no one was physically injured, although he was emotionally affected. His decision also supports the fact that he is an ethical absolutist because even in the face of extreme aggression, he consistently advocated policies of non-violence. Likewise, he is a virtue ethicist because his moral choice of escaping Tibet is guided by his good character he did not have the time to weigh the consequences of his potential actions. Additionally, the Dalai Lama is following his dharma or his duty according to the deontological theory, as a spiritual leader by travelling and giving teachings, donating funds and helping with inspiration and practical advice. Also, the Dalai Lama can be considered an egoist because he often mediates to get in touch with his inner self. He stated that one of the purposes of meditation is to increase ones ability to be conscious of their thinking and emotions. Once it can be observed, one can have the leverage to make changes in their conditioned behaviours. In other words, meditation focuses on improving ones role of character and it causes the greatest good for the self since it brings one closer to Nirvana. Moreover, the Dalai Lama enforces compassionate treatment for non-human animals as he claimed People think of animals as if they were vegetables, and that is not right. We have to change the way people think about animals. I encourage the Tibetan people and all people to move toward a vegetarian diet that doesnt cause suffering. Lastly, the Dalai Lama is an epitome of one who follows the ethic of the middle way as he proposed the Middle Way Approach to end the issues between China and Tibet. His proposal offers a mutually beneficial course of action as it avoids the concerns that China has regarding national unity and separation. At the same time, it leads the Tibetan people to independence achievement of their right to self-determination (The Telegraph).

References
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