BUDDHIST BUDDHIST MORALITYMORALITY

““Whosoever in this world Whosoever in this world destroys life…..interferes destroys life…..interferes with their own progress in with their own progress in

this very world”this very world”

The Sanctity of LifeThe Sanctity of Life

Tibetan Buddhists emphasise their Tibetan Buddhists emphasise their belief in the value of human life by belief in the value of human life by using the following analogy – “Being using the following analogy – “Being reborn as a human is as likely as a reborn as a human is as likely as a blind turtle which is swimming in a blind turtle which is swimming in a large ocean and surfaces once every large ocean and surfaces once every one hundred years, putting its head one hundred years, putting its head through a small golden ring which is through a small golden ring which is floating on the surface of the water” floating on the surface of the water”

War and PeaceWar and Peace

““Laying aside the cudgel and the sword Laying aside the cudgel and the sword he dwells compassionate and kind to all he dwells compassionate and kind to all living creatures” Digha Nikaya ch1. v 4. living creatures” Digha Nikaya ch1. v 4.

Policy of peaceful resistance to the Policy of peaceful resistance to the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950.Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950.

Buddhist Peace Fellowship are involved Buddhist Peace Fellowship are involved in disarmament work and non – violent in disarmament work and non – violent campaigns for human rights.campaigns for human rights.

Emperor Asoka showed remorse.Emperor Asoka showed remorse. Vietnamese Monks and self immolation.Vietnamese Monks and self immolation.

PrejudicePrejudice ““Many do not know that we are here to live in Many do not know that we are here to live in

harmony” Dhammapada ch. 6.harmony” Dhammapada ch. 6. Metta – loving kindness.Metta – loving kindness. ““Tolerance is a principal virtue in Buddhism and it Tolerance is a principal virtue in Buddhism and it

is a virtue that is called for when one meets is a virtue that is called for when one meets different beliefs and values. Being tolerant for a different beliefs and values. Being tolerant for a Buddhist, means showing love to the fellow human Buddhist, means showing love to the fellow human being holding those beliefs different to you” – being holding those beliefs different to you” – Adiccabanhu, a Theravada Buddhist Monk.Adiccabanhu, a Theravada Buddhist Monk.

Right Action and Right Speech from the Eightfold Right Action and Right Speech from the Eightfold Path.Path.

Buddha rejected the caste system.Buddha rejected the caste system. All peoples possess Buddha nature.All peoples possess Buddha nature.

AnimalsAnimals ““All things should be happy and at one” – Metta All things should be happy and at one” – Metta

Sutra.Sutra. ““There is a striking similarity between exterminating There is a striking similarity between exterminating

the life of a wild animal for fun and terminating the the life of a wild animal for fun and terminating the life of an innocent fellow human being at the whim of life of an innocent fellow human being at the whim of a more capable and powerful person” – Buddhist a more capable and powerful person” – Buddhist Declaration, Assisi 1986.Declaration, Assisi 1986.

Vegetarian or not?Vegetarian or not? ““I find it disgraceful that animals are being used I find it disgraceful that animals are being used

without being shown the slightest compassion, and without being shown the slightest compassion, and that they are used for scientific experiments” His that they are used for scientific experiments” His Holiness, the Dalai Lama – 1994.Holiness, the Dalai Lama – 1994.

““All breathing, existing, living sentient creatures All breathing, existing, living sentient creatures should not be slain or treated with violence, nor should not be slain or treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away” – abused, nor tormented, nor driven away” – Anchoranga Sutra Anchoranga Sutra