ETHICS MODULE 4 - Asian Ethical Frameworks and Religious Conceptions

ETHICS AS A QUEST FOR SPIRITUAL LIBERATION

ETHICS AS A QUEST FOR SPIRITUAL LIBERATION

• Hinduism

• Buddhism

HINDUISM

oldest religion; allows people to develop and grow at their own pace by making different spiritual paths available to them

6 SPECIAL CONCEPTS

brahman, atman, karma, moksha, vedas, dharma

BRAHMAN

metaphorical and physical things of the universe; transcendent origin of all things

ATMAN

the eternal soul/self within a living being

KARMA

consequences of our actions; directly influences the situation into whice the atman is reborn

MOKSHA

liberation or soul’s release from the cycle of death and rebirth;

occurs when the ATMAN unites with BRAHMAN by realizing its true nature

VEDAS

4 Vedas; authentic texts which are comprised of hymns, incantations, rituals, and their importance

DHARMA

unique in every person because of age and social status; right conduct, righteous living, and moral law

what is the flow of spiritual liberation in hinduism?

based on karma, our atman will reincarnate endlessly. to stop this, we must attain moksha(liberation) through following dharma. through dharma, our karma improves

BUDDHISM

Originally called “The way of life”; aimed at liberating beings from suffering

THREE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS

• NOTHING IS LOST IN THE UNIVERSE 

• EVERYTHING CHANGES

• LAW OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

• dukkha

• dukkha samudaya

• dukkha nirodha

• dukkha nirodha gamini patipata

DUKKHA

everything is a suffering (ie., suffering exists)

DUKKHA SAMUDAYA

There is a cause to our sufferings (ie., attachment)

DUKKHA NIRODHA

end of our suffering through detachment of worldly pleasures

DUKKHA NIRODHA GAMINI PATIPATA

the path to end of suffering is through the Eight-Fold Path

Eight-Fold Path

right:

• understanding of the four noble truths

• thinking & aspiration

• speech

• action

• livelihood

• efforts

• mindfulness

• concentration

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM?

moksha(spiritual liberation) and nirvana(liberation from suffering)