Description
Scitus Academics LLC Buddhist Moral Philosophy by Ileana Dorji
The Buddha intended his philosophy to be a practical one, aimed at the happiness
of all creatures. While he outlined his metaphysics, he did not expect
anyone to accept this on faith but rather to verify the insights for themselves;
his emphasis was always on seeing clearly and understanding. To achieve
this, however, requires a disciplined life and a clear commitment to liberation;
the Buddha laid out a clear path to the goal and also observations on
how to live life wisely. The core of this teaching is contained in the Noble
Eightfold Path, which covers the three essential areas of Buddhist practice:
ethical conduct, mental discipline ('concentration' or 'meditation'), and
wisdom. The goals are to cultivate both wisdom and compassion; then these
qualities together will enable one ultimately to attain enlightenment.The
path is laid out in eight steps, but one may practice all of the steps simultaneously,
since they work together. The first two steps or factors constitute
Wisdom. The next three steps on the eightfold path constitute ethical
conduct. The last three steps on the path are those which promote mental
discipline. Right effort is the will to cultivate wholesome states of mind and
eliminate evil or unwanted ones. Right mindfulness (or attentiveness)
involves being keenly aware of the processes involved in one's daily existence,
those of the body, the sensations, the mind and the experiencing of
thoughts and ideas.
Buddhist Moral Philosophyis a philosophical introduction to the teaching of
the Buddha. It carefully guides readers through the basic ideas and practices
of the Buddha, including kamma (karma), rebirth, the not-self doctrine,
the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, ethics, meditation, nonattachment,
and Nibbana (Nirvana). Mindfulness is practiced in Buddhist forms of meditation
such as vipassana, through techniques like observation of the breath
and bodily sensations. Right concentration refers to the progressive stages
of dhyana (this is closer to what is called meditation in most Hindu traditions).
In this discipline, the mind is gradually cleared of passionate desires,
then thoughts, then finally even feelings of joy, until only pure awareness
remains, in a state of perfect calm and equanimity.