Abstract
The doctrine of meritorious activity as an everyday practice of individual moral development is the center of Buddhist ethics. The topic of the paper comprises the conceptual basis of this activity as presented in the exegetic treatise «The Encyclopedia of Abhidharma» («Abhidharmakośa») ascribed to eminent medieval Indian Buddhist thinker Vasubandhu (4–5th centuries). Three forms of meritorious activity are analyzed here: giving, cultivation of benevolence to all sentient beings, virtuous action. Meritorious activity is treated as religious virtue. The basis for this interpretation is formed by the theory of karma (transcendental law of causality). Ethical aspect of the practice of giving deserves special attention. Canonical typology of giving’s having no religious virtue because of moral defectiveness of the giver is considered. The paper also presents the explication of virtuous action. According to this theory abstention from immoral actions must be supplied with the refusal of self-gratification.
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