By observing precepts, not only do you cultivate your
moral strength, but you also perform the highest service to your fellow
beings to live in peace.
Every country or society has it s code of what is considered to be moral
within its own social context. These codes are often linked to the
society’s interest and its legal system. An action is considered right
so long as it does not break the law and transgress public or individual
sensitivities. These social code are flexible and amended from time to
time to suit changing circumstances. Important as they are to society,
these standards cannot serve as a reliable guide to some absolute
principles of morality which can be to some absolute principles of
morality which can be applied universally and for all time.
By contrast, the Buddhist code of morality is nor the invention of human
minds. They are not based on tribal ethics which were eventually
replaced by humanistic codes which are commonly practiced today.
Buddhist morality is based on the universal law of cause and effect
(Karma), and considers a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ action in terms of the manner
it affects oneself and others. An action, even if it brings benefit to
oneself, cannot be considered a good action if it causes physical and
mental pain to another being.
Buddhist morality address a very common, yet crucial question: How can
we judge if an action is good or bad? The answer, according to Buddhism,
is a simple one. The quality of an action hinges on the intention or
motivation (cetana) from which it originates. If a performs an action
out of greed, hatred and delusion, his action is considered to be
unwholesome. On the other hand, if he performs and action out of love,
charity and wisdom, his action is a wholesome one. Greed, hatred and
delusion are known as the ‘Three Evil Roots’, while love, charity and
wisdom as ‘the three beneficial roots’. The word ‘root’ refers to the
intention from which an action originates. Therefore, no matter how a
person tries to disguise the nature of an action, the truth can be found
by examining thoughts which gave rise to that action because the mind is
the source of all speech and action.
In Buddhism , a person’s first duty is to cleanse him or her self of the
mental defilements of greed, hatred and ignorance, The reason for doing
this is because of fear or desire to please some divine beings, because
if it were so, a person would be considered to be still lacking in
wisdom. He or she would be only acting out of fear like the little child
who behaves well because he or she is afraid of being punished for being
naughty. Buddhists should act out of understanding and wisdom. They
perform wholesome deeds because they realise that by so doing they
develop their moral strength which provides the foundation for spiritual
growth, leading to Liberation. In addition, they realise that their
happiness and suffering are self-created through the operation of the
Law of Karma. To minimise the occurrence of troubles and problems in
their lives, they make the effort to refrain from doing evil. They
perform good actions because they know that these will bring them peace
and happiness, since everyone seeks happiness in life, and since it is
possible for each individual provide the condition for happiness, then
there is every reason to do good and avoid evil. Furthermore, the
uprooting of mental defilements, the source of all anti-social acts,
will bring great benefits to others in society. Therefore in helping
oneself spiritually, one helps others to live peacefully.
