0521553946 cambridge university press an introduction to buddhist ethics foundations values and issues jul 2000

This page intentionally left blank AN INT RO D UC T IO N TO BUD D H IS T ET H IC S This systematic introduction to Buddhist ethics is aimed at anyone interested in Buddhism, including students, scholars and general readers Peter Harvey is the author of the acclaimed Introduction to Buddhism (Cambridge, ), and his new book is written in a clear style, assuming no prior knowledge At the same time it develops a careful, probing analysis of the nature and practical dynamics of Buddhist ethics both in its unifying themes and in the particularities of different Buddhist traditions The book applies Buddhist ethics to a range of issues of contemporary concern: humanity’s relationship with the rest of nature; economics; war and peace; euthanasia; abortion; sexual equality; and homosexuality Professor Harvey draws on texts of the main Buddhist traditions, and on historical and contemporary accounts of the behaviour of Buddhists, to describe existing Buddhist ethics, to assess different views within it, and to extend its application into new areas   is Professor of Buddhist Studies at the University of Sunderland Co-founder of the UK Association for Buddhist Studies, he was the first Professor specifically of ‘Buddhist Studies’ in the UK He also serves on the editorial board of the very successful Internet Journal of Buddhist Ethics and that of Contemporary Studies in Buddhism A N I N T RO D U C T I O N TO BU D D H I S T E T H IC S Foundations, Values and Issues P E T E R H A RV E Y University of Sunderland    Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge  , United Kingdom Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521553940 © Cambridge University Press, 2000 This book is in copyright Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press First published in print format 2000 - - ---- eBook (EBL) --- eBook (EBL) - - ---- hardback --- hardback - - ---- paperback --- paperback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of s for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this book, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate Not to any evil, to cultivate what is wholesome, to purify one’s mind: this is the teaching of the Buddhas (Dhammapada, verse ) Contents List of plates Acknowledgements List of abbreviations A note on language and pronunciation page xii xiii xiv xix Introduction           Sources of guidance to Buddhists Rebirth and karma The realms of rebirth Karma and its effects The status and working of the law of karma The ‘karmic fruitfulness’ of actions Karmic fruitfulness and motive The San˙gha as the best ‘field of karmic fruitfulness’ Karma and fatalism Flexibility in the working of karma Delayed results of karma The effect of character Remorse and the acknowledgement of fault Rebirth, karma and motivation The Four Noble Truths Suffering Impermanence Not-Self and respecting others The Noble Eightfold Path Noble persons The place of ethics on the Path Wise, skilful, wholesome actions The Arahat as ‘beyond fruitful and deadening actions’ Philosophy of action Criteria for differentiating good and bad actions                          vii Contents viii Comparisons with Western ethical systems Intention, knowledge and degrees of unwholesomeness in actions Conclusion          Giving  Sharing karmic fruitfulness  Keeping the lay precepts  The first precept: non-injury  The second precept: avoiding theft and cheating  The third precept: avoiding sexual misconduct  The fourth precept: avoiding lying and other forms of wrong speech  The fifth precept: sobriety  The nature of the precepts and precept-taking  Partial precept-taking and the issue of precept-breaking  Taking extra precepts  Monastic values  Celibacy  The role of monasticism  The monastic code of discipline  Harmony, sharing and spiritual companionship  The ethics of inter-personal relationships  Parents and children  Other relationships  Marriage  Lovingkindness and compassion  Social ethics  Social cohesion and equality  Engaged Buddhism  Political ideals  ‘Human rights’ and Buddhism  Conclusion         The path of the Bodhisattva Compassion and wisdom in the Maha¯ya¯na The arising of the thought of enlightenment Developing the Bodhisattva perfections The ethics of the Bodhisattva The Bodhisattva precepts Skilful means and overriding the precepts Compassionate killing Compassionate stealing, non-celibacy, and lying          