An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues

Abstract

1. Shared foundations of Buddhist ethics: sources of guidance to Buddhists Rebirth and karma The four noble truths Philosophy of action 2. Key Buddhist values giving Keeping the lay precepts Monastic values Ethics of inter-personal relationships Loving kindness and compassion Social ethics 3. Mahayana emphases and adaptations: the path of the Bodhisattva The ethics of the Bodhisattva Skilful means and overriding precepts Specific strands of Mahayana thought and practice Mahayana reassessment of monasticism 4. Attitude to and treatment of the natural world Humanity's place in nature Non-harming of animals Positive regard, and help, for animals Plants, trees and forests Conservation and environmentalism 5. Economic ethics Lay economic ethics The monastic economy Buddhism and capitalism: Weber's 'Protestant Ethic' thesis 'Buddhist economics' Buddhism and economics in the modern world 6. War and peace Buddhist analyses of the causes of conflict Solutions to conflict Non-violent reflections on a violent world The position of the soldier Buddhist 'justifications' of and involvement in, violence Buddhist action for peace in the modern world 7. Suicide and euthanasia considerations and arguments against suicide Suicide and the precepts Euthanasia 8. Abortion and contraception Embryonic life Abortion and Buddhist principles Contraception Abortion in Buddhist cultures Anti-abortion but pro-choice?: the relationship between morality and law 9. The status of women: women in early Hinduism the effect of Buddhism The spiritual potential and achievement of women Gender, rebirth and the status of women Views on spiritual statuses unattainable by women Images of wise and wayward women Ascetic wariness of the opposite sex The ordination of women Nuns and other female religious roles in Buddhist cultures Lay women in Buddhist texts Lay women in Buddhist cultures 10. Homosexuality and other forms of 'Queerness' Sex change Hermaphrodites Pandakas Homosexual acts Homosexuality in Buddhist cultures.