Buddhist Ethics and Modern Society

Buddhist Ethics and Modern Society PDF Author: Charles Wei-hsun Fu
Publisher: Praeger
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 480

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Book Description
The outgrowth of an historic international conference on Buddhist ethics in the modern world, this volume offers a comprehensive overview of the status of the Buddhist tradition in a contemporary and global context. Buddhist experts from several Asian and Western nations address a number of ethical problems from the Buddhist perspective, including medical and environmental ethics, feminism, the social impacts of materialism, and ethnic minorities. All major schools of Buddhism are represented--Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana--as well as a variety of sects such as Ch'an/Zen, Lojong, and Pure Land. The diverse cultural settings of Buddhism are also well illustrated, ranging from China to Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States. Throughout, the Buddhist values of compassion and tolerance inform the discussions. The papers are organized within a temporal framework in order to demonstrate the ongoing evolution of Buddhist thought. Part One explores the historical roots of Buddhism and examines the concepts and practices that continue to exert a pervasive influence on Buddhist ethical principles. The second group of essays confronts the pressing concerns of our times--ecology, nuclear war, capitalism, and more--re-evaluating them from a distinctly Buddhist perspective. The third and final section is concerned with projections of Buddhism's future and its continuing evolution. The contributors suggest ways in which Buddhist thought may be adapted to meet the needs of a multi-cultural world and may even act as a unifying force among diverse cultures. A glossary of Buddhist terms is included to enhance the understanding of readers at all levels. Essential reading for courses of Buddhist thought, this volume vividly demonstrates how the insights of Buddhism can help us effectively address the critical challenges of contemporary life.

Buddhist Ethics and Modern Society

Buddhist Ethics and Modern Society PDF Author: Charles Wei-hsun Fu
Publisher: Praeger
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 480

Get Book

Book Description
The outgrowth of an historic international conference on Buddhist ethics in the modern world, this volume offers a comprehensive overview of the status of the Buddhist tradition in a contemporary and global context. Buddhist experts from several Asian and Western nations address a number of ethical problems from the Buddhist perspective, including medical and environmental ethics, feminism, the social impacts of materialism, and ethnic minorities. All major schools of Buddhism are represented--Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana--as well as a variety of sects such as Ch'an/Zen, Lojong, and Pure Land. The diverse cultural settings of Buddhism are also well illustrated, ranging from China to Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States. Throughout, the Buddhist values of compassion and tolerance inform the discussions. The papers are organized within a temporal framework in order to demonstrate the ongoing evolution of Buddhist thought. Part One explores the historical roots of Buddhism and examines the concepts and practices that continue to exert a pervasive influence on Buddhist ethical principles. The second group of essays confronts the pressing concerns of our times--ecology, nuclear war, capitalism, and more--re-evaluating them from a distinctly Buddhist perspective. The third and final section is concerned with projections of Buddhism's future and its continuing evolution. The contributors suggest ways in which Buddhist thought may be adapted to meet the needs of a multi-cultural world and may even act as a unifying force among diverse cultures. A glossary of Buddhist terms is included to enhance the understanding of readers at all levels. Essential reading for courses of Buddhist thought, this volume vividly demonstrates how the insights of Buddhism can help us effectively address the critical challenges of contemporary life.

Buddhism, Ethics, and Society

Buddhism, Ethics, and Society PDF Author: Padmasiri De Silva
Publisher: Monash University Press
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
With an emphasis on cross-cultural understanding, philosopher Padmasiri de Silva shares the Buddhist approach to contemporary ethical issues, such as environmental degradation, racism, workplace relations, violence and suicide. This volume is useful as a guide for students, and as a modern companion to the discourses of the Buddha.

Contemporary Buddhist Ethics

Contemporary Buddhist Ethics PDF Author: Damien Keown
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136118020
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
This innovative volume brings together the views of leading scholars on a range of controversial subjects including human rights, animal rights, ecology, abortion, euthanasia, and contemporary business practice.

Ethics and Society in Contemporary Shin Buddhism

Ethics and Society in Contemporary Shin Buddhism PDF Author: Ugo Dessì
Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster
ISBN: 3825808157
Category : Buddhist ethics
Languages : en
Pages : 265

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Book Description
Contemporary Shin Buddhism is characterized by the simultaneous presence of an almost radical aversion to a normative approach to ethics, a rich and multifaceted debate on ethical issues, and an interesting amount of social activism. Ethics and Society in Contemporary Shin Buddhism focuses on such aspects of this influential tradition of Japanese Buddhism, which can be traced back to the thought of Shinran (1173-1262), and on its interplay with Japanese society over the last few decades, with particular reference to its two major branches (Honganji-ha and Otani-ha). In addition, the ethical implications of the responses being given by these institutions and their followers to the ongoing process of globalization, together with the contradictions embedded therein, are analysed and compared with other reactions found in different religious traditions.

Buddhist Approach to Global Education in Ethics

Buddhist Approach to Global Education in Ethics PDF Author: Thich Duc Thien
Publisher: VIETNAM BUDDHIST UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS
ISBN: 6048979282
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
EDITORS’ INTRODUCTION This volume is a collection of papers presented at the international workshop on “Buddhist Approach to Global Education in Ethics” which is being held on May 13, 2019, at International Conference Center Tam Chuc, Ha Nam, Vietnam on the occasion of the 16th United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 2019. The aim is to throw new light on the values of the global ethical system with a focus on the Buddhist approach in deepening our understanding of how Buddhist ethics can deliver a social change in the globalized world. REVIEW OF CONTENTS Prof. P. D. Premasiri in his paper titled “Universally valid ethical norms of Buddhism applicable to global education in ethics” deals with hindrance in determining the basis for global education in ethics and providing undeniable facts about the diversity involved in ethical norms, principles and attitudes of various global communities. The author also discusses the characteristics of Buddhist teaching on a humanistic approach to the moral life with perceptions of enlightened humans, i.e. ‘Knowledgeable Persons’ (vi¤¤å purisà). The paper places further emphasis on the necessity to draw the attention of educators to train the minds of humans on ethical choices in accordance with such decisions. The paper entitled “Teaching Buddhist Ethics through the Life of the Buddha and Jesus” by Abraham Velez De Cea has proposed a new approach to the Buddhist ethical way of teaching and its application through interpretations of the Buddha’s life from the perspective of virtue ethics and meditation. The purpose is to heighten the Buddhist contribution being made to global education in ethical issues. The paper is divided into two parts, Buddhist ethics as a form of virtue ethics and secondly, interpretation of the Buddha’s teachings from the perspective of virtue ethics and meditation.

Being Benevolence

Being Benevolence PDF Author: Sallie B. King
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
ISBN: 0824861620
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
Engaged Buddhism is the contemporary movement of nonviolent social and political activism found throughout the Buddhist world. Its ethical theory sees the world in terms of cause and effect, a view that discourages its practitioners from becoming adversaries, blaming or condemning the other. Its leaders make some of the most important contributions in the Buddhist world to thinking about issues in political theory, human rights, nonviolence, and social justice. Being Benevolence provides for the first time a rich overview of the main ideas and arguments of prominent Engaged Buddhist thinkers and activists on a variety of questions: What kind of political system should modern Asian states have? What are the pros and cons of Western "liberalism"? Can Buddhism support the idea of human rights? Can there ever be a nonviolent nation-state? It identifies the roots of Engaged Buddhist social ethics in such traditional Buddhist concepts and practices as interdependence, compassion, and meditation, and shows how these are applied to particular social and political issues. It illuminates the movement’s metaphysical views on the individual and society and goes on to examine how Engaged Buddhists respond to fundamental questions in political theory concerning the proper balance between the individual and society. The second half of the volume focuses on applied social-political issues: human rights, nonviolence, and social justice.

A Mirror Is for Reflection

A Mirror Is for Reflection PDF Author: Jake H. Davis
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190868457
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
This volume offers a rich and accessible introduction to contemporary research on Buddhist ethical thought for interested students and scholars, yet also offers chapters taking up more technical philosophical and textual topics. A Mirror is For Reflection offers a snapshot of the present state of academic investigation into the nature of Buddhist Ethics, including contributions from many of the leading figures in the academic study of Buddhist philosophy. Over the past decade many scholars have come to think that the project of fitting Buddhist ethical thought into Western philosophical categories may be of limited utility, and the focus of investigation has shifted in a number of new directions. This volume includes contemporary perspectives on topics including the nature of Buddhist ethics as a whole, karma and rebirth, mindfulness, narrative, intention, free will, politics, anger, and equanimity.

The Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Ethics

The Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Ethics PDF Author: Daniel Cozort
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0191063177
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 736

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Book Description
Many forms of Buddhism, divergent in philosophy and style, emerged as Buddhism filtered out of India into other parts of Asia. Nonetheless, all of them embodied an ethical core that is remarkably consistent. Articulated by the historical Buddha in his first sermon, this moral core is founded on the concept of karma—that intentions and actions have future consequences for an individual—and is summarized as Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood, three of the elements of the Eightfold Path. Although they were later elaborated and interpreted in a multitude of ways, none of these core principles were ever abandoned. The Oxford Handbook of Buddhist Ethics provides a comprehensive overview of the field of Buddhist ethics in the twenty-first century. The Handbook discusses the foundations of Buddhist ethics focusing on karma and the precepts looking at abstinence from harming others, stealing, and intoxication. It considers ethics in the different Buddhist traditions and the similarities they share, and compares Buddhist ethics to Western ethics and the psychology of moral judgments. The volume also investigates Buddhism and society analysing economics, environmental ethics, and Just War ethics. The final section focuses on contemporary issues surrounding Buddhist ethics, including gender, sexuality, animal rights, and euthanasia. This groundbreaking collection offers an indispensable reference work for students and scholars of Buddhist ethics and comparative moral philosophy.

Development of Buddhist Ethics

Development of Buddhist Ethics PDF Author: Girija Shankar Prasad Misra
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
Description: 'Religion is a doing and doing what is moral'. In Buddhism, particularly, there is such a great emphasis on moral doing that is very often designated as an 'ethical religion' (silaparaka dharma). The present work seeks to study Buddhist ethics as a development process not only in terms of inner dynamics of Buddhism inherent in its doctrinal and ethical formulations but also in terms of its response to various historical compulsions which motivated its followers to introduce in its general framework novelties of forms and expressions. It is hoped that such an approach would lead to a greater appreciation of Buddhist ethics both as an emergent of a unique spiritual vision and a social force. The book which is divided in six chapters cover the entire range of Buddhist development in India. The work is novel both in its approach and treatment of the subject. It studies conceptual formulations in their proper historical contexts. Modern debates on various ethical problems have been taken into account to bring about greater clarity in discussions.

Buddhist Moral Philosophy

Buddhist Moral Philosophy PDF Author: Christopher W. Gowans
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 131765935X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description
The first book of its kind, Buddhist Moral Philosophy: An Introduction introduces the reader to contemporary philosophical interpretations and analyses of Buddhist ethics. It begins with a survey of traditional Buddhist ethical thought and practice, mainly in the Pali Canon and early Mahāyāna schools, and an account of the emergence of Buddhist moral philosophy as a distinct discipline in the modern world. It then examines recent debates about karma, rebirth and nirvana, well-being, normative ethics, moral objectivity, moral psychology, and the issue of freedom, responsibility and determinism. The book also introduces the reader to philosophical discussions of topics in socially engaged Buddhism such as human rights, war and peace, and environmental ethics.