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The world today is In a state of chaos ; valuable ethics are being overturned. The forces of materialism, corporatism and
consumerism, with its skepticism-the doubt about the truth of things-have destroyed so many traditional concepts of what are considered humane qualities. Yet, any person who has a concern for culture and civilization will concern themselves with practical, ethical Issues. For ethics has to do with human conduct. It ls concerned with our relationship with ourselves and with our fellow women & men.
Buddhist ethics are traditionally based on what Buddhists view as the enlightened perspective of the Buddha, or other
enlightened beings who followed him. Moral instructions are included in Buddhist scriptures or handed down through tradition. Most scholars of Buddhist ethics thus rely on the examination of Buddhist scriptures, and the use of anthropological evidence. So what are Buddhist ethics about?
To live is to act, and our actions can have either harmful or beneficial consequences for ourselves and others. Buddhist ethics is concerned with the principles and practices that help one to act in ways that help rather than harm. The core ethical cade of Buddhism is known as the five precepts, And these are the condensed form of its ethical principles. The precepts are not rules or commandments, but 'principles of training', which are undertaken freely and need to be put into practice wirth intelligence and sensitivity.
The Buddhist tradition acknowledges that life is complex and throws up many difficulties, and it does not suggest that there is a single course of action that will be right in all circumstances. Indeed, rather than speaking of actions being right or wrong, Buddhism speaks of being skillful (kusala) or unskillful (aktala). Our faith in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha finds everyday practical expression in our wish to live by ethical precepts, to the best of our ability.
Essentially, according to Buddhist teachings, the ethical and moral principles are governed hr examining whether a certain action, connected to body or speech, is likely to be harmful to one's self or to others ; and thereby avoiding any actions which are likely to be harmful. So in Buddhism, there ls much emphasis placed on having a skillful mind. A Mind that is skillful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse and regret
Moral conduct for Buddhists differs according to whether it applies to the laity or to the Sangha of monks. A lay Buddhist should cultivate good conduct by training guided by the "Five Precepts". These are not like commandments which, if broken,
lead to punishment by God. The 5precepts are training rules. which, if we were to break any of them. we should be aware of
this and consider how to avoid doing so in the future. The result of an action (Kamma Vipaka) depends on the intention more
than the action itself. It entails less feelings of guilt than is found in the Judaic-Christian religious schools. Buddhism places a great emphasis on'mind'and it is mental anguish such as remorse, anxiety, guilt etc. which are to be avoided in order to cultivate a calm and peaceful mind.
The Buddha talked about shame and moral dread. these two qualities are associated with wholesome moral consciousness. The Buddha said: