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Ethical Aspect of Buddhism
Yajneshwar S. Shastri
Buddhist ethics can be summarized in one verse of Lord Buddha in Dhammapada –
"The giving up all evil, The cultivating of the good, The cleansing of the one's mind, This is the Buddha's teaching."
That means, avoid evil, do good, and purify the mind. This is the teaching of Buddha.
[Sabbapapassa akaranam, kusalassa upasampadā. Sacittapariyodapanam etam Buddhānuśāsanam. V.183).
Essentially according to Buddhist teaching, the ethical and moral principles are governed by examining whether a certain action, whether 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. In Buddhism, there is much talk of a skilled mind. A mind that is skilful avoids actions that are likely to cause suffering or remorse.
Morality in Buddhism is essentially practical in that it is only a means leading to the final goal of ultimate happiness. On the Buddhist path to emancipation, each individual is considered responsible for his own fortunes and misfortunes. Each individual is expected to work his own deliverance by his understanding and effort. Buddhist liberation or Nirvana is the result of one's own moral development and can neither be imposed nor granted to one by some external agent. The Buddha's mission was to enlighten men as to the
