REL/JPNS 312: Buddhist Ethics (Fall 2024)

The Perfections (Paramitas)

virtues cultivated on the bodhisattva path, e.g., generosity (dāna) and patience (kṣānti)

morality

concern with the distinction between right and wrong thought and behavior

virtue

a character trait or quality valued as good

good

that which is morally right or beneficial

Deontology

Ethical theory emphasizing duties and rules (e.g., Kantian Ethics)

Utilitarianism

Ethical theory focusing on consequences and maximizing happiness among people

Virtue Ethics

Ethical framework emphasizing character and virtues (e.g., Aristotelian Ethics)

Consequentialism

Broad term for ethical theories focused on outcomes

Relativism

The belief that morality is culturally or individually determined

Absolutism

The belief that moral principles are universal and unchanging

Natural Law

Moral principles derived from nature and reason

Moral Realism

The belief that moral facts exist independently of human beliefs

Moral Subjectivism

The view that moral judgments are based on personal feelings or opinions

Moral Pluralism

The acceptance of multiple, sometimes conflicting moral values

karuṇā

compassion

eudaimonia

(pron. you-day-moh-nee-uh) happiness or human flourishing

jātaka

(pron. jAH-tuh-kuh): a narrative account of a previous life of the Buddha

Descriptive Ethics

study of the prescriptions, norms, and values of a community: what do people think is good/right?

cetanā

(pron. chey-tuh-nah): intention; will; volition; willful states of mind informing action (i.e., karma)

The Three Poisons

greed (lobha), aversion (dosa), delusion (moha)

bhikkhu

(pron. bih-koo) Buddhist monk

Dharma/Dhamma

the underlying law of reality; the teaching of the Buddha

spiritual eclecticism

selecting elements drawn from various systems to construct one's own system of beliefs and practices

upāya

"skillful means"; clever methods of adapting the teachings to the needs of sentient beings

ahimsa

non-harm; non-violence

prajñā

(pron. prahj-nah) wisdom, especially as it informs ethical decision making

sangha

Buddhist community of monks and nuns

Ethics

The study of moral principles and how they govern behavior

evil

that which is morally wrong or harmful

sati

in Buddhism, the term translated as "mindfulness"

Applied Ethics

the application of moral norms to specific moral issues or cases: what should one do in a particular situation?

Normative (Prescriptive) Ethics

argues for rules and guidelines for how people should live their lives: how should people be and what should they do in general?

Meta-ethics

the study of the origin and meaning of ethical concepts: how should one define concepts like "good" or "right"?

karma

lit. "action" whether wholesome (good) or unwholesome (bad)

Four Noble Truths

1. Suffering
2. Cause
3. End
4. Path

Eightfold Path

the path to the cessation of suffering

What are the eight aspects of the Eightfold Path, in order?

Right View
Right Intention
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

Reincarnation

the rebirth of a soul in a new body

The essence of a being (a self or soul) transmigrates from one body to another.

Rebirth

the continuation of karma from one life to the next

No essential self or soul exists to transmigrate from one body to the next body. Instead, the force of "your" karma continues and remanifests in the cycle.

duhkha/dukkha

unsatisfactoriness; unease; stress; suffering

anicca

(pron. uh-nih-chuh): impermanence

samsara

the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth

the moral life

living well with and for others in just institutions

the cause of suffering

grasping; craving; thirst; desire

Dependent Origination

states that all things arise in dependence upon other things; nothing exists independently of myriad causes and conditions

nirvana/nibbana

lit. "to extinguish" or "blow out" (as in a candle); to extinguish the causes of suffering

The Three Antidotes

generosity, friendliness, wisdom

Buddha

awakened or enlightened one

bodhisattva

a buddha-to-be