FAQ - ETHICAL
Does Buddhism affect people's lifestyles both inside and outside the community?
Buddhism does not have to drastically affect people's lifestyles, but rather it changes people's attitudes toward life and makes life more meaningful. We can carry on with our routine work and enjoy family life based on the Buddha's teachings. We begin to act wisely and mindfully by observing universally accepted moral and ethical principles, exercising patience, tolerance, sympathy, humility and compassion, creating understanding, rendering selfless service, and training the mind to gain wisdom. By cultivating such virtues in our lives, we should be able to achieve something noble and beneficial to all and experience peace, happiness, tranquility and satisfaction in life. We perform our duties well and become role models for what we do to help people in our surroundings. If everybody behaves like this, we can influence our society, country, and even the world in a positive way.
Does Buddhism have a code of morality? What key morals does it cover?
Buddhism contains an excellent moral code, including one for the Sangha and another for the laity, and its moral teaching excels beyond other ethical systems. The base of Buddhism is morality, and wisdom is its apex. Of the Four Noble Truths that form the foundation of Buddhism, the fourth (the Noble Eightfold Path) forms the basis of Buddhist ethics.
The common basic moral principle of conduct which sets guidelines for daily life for all Buddhists are the Five Precepts. They are no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no dishonesty, and no intoxicants. Through the Five Precepts, people are more conscious of their behaviour. If everyone can live by upholding them, all will live in harmony and enjoy a peaceful life.
In Buddhism, if the moral values are not being obeyed, is the person asked to leave?
In Buddhism, if the moral values are not obeyed, the person will bear the consequences since good begets good and evil begets evil, as stated by the Law of Cause and Effect. No one will ask the person to leave. When Buddhists break their precepts, they are not to seek forgiveness of sin from a higher authority, such as God or a priest. Rather, they repent and review why they broke the precepts. Relying on their wisdom and determination, they modify their behavior to prevent the recurrence of the same mistake. In doing so, Buddhists rely on the individual effort of self-examination and self-perfection. This helps them to restore peace and purity of mind.
Are there any specific dietary habits in Buddhism?
No. Some people misunderstand that when one take refuge to become a Buddhist, one needs to be a vegetarian. This not so; one need not be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist. Out of compassion, lay Buddhists often choose to be vegetarian as they do not want to eat other sentient beings’ flesh just to satisfy their desire of taste.
Also, some Buddhists fast after noontime on certain days of each month to symbolize the purification of body and mind. Such practice originated at the Buddha's time when the Buddha and his disciples went for alms and ate in the morning but fasted in the latter half of the day.
Are there any cultural habits, values, and customs that are essential to Buddhism?
Many of the cultural habits or customs of Buddhism were not originated or developed in the Buddha's time. Within 2,500 years, in the process of its vast expansion in time and space, Buddhism underwent profound changes in emphasis and form of practice. Some of these changes were due to variations in the national temperament of the peoples among whom it spread and the absorption of local beliefs and ceremonies. These cultural habits, values, and customs may include religious ceremonies and rituals, temple etiquette, design of a typical Chinese monastery, placement of shrines and holy images etc.
What is the status and role of women in Buddhism?
Discrimination and prejudices have marked the common social attitude towards women, and this is still a prevalent mindset in many societies of the world. By contrast, Buddhism can be considered to have the least discriminatory attitude towards women. Buddha was considered to be the first emancipator of women, for he gave them equal and unfettered opportunities in the field of spiritual development. He opened the gates for the full participation of women in the religion by making them eligible for admission into the Bhikkhuni Sangha. Although, traditionally, the main duties assigned to women were childbearing and housework, under the Buddhist point of view women are given equal status with men in their spiritual endeavor to gain wisdom and liberation. However, the Buddha also stated that it was the woman's duty to look after her home and her husband, and that peace and harmony in a home is to a great extent ensured by a woman.
What is the place of women in decision making?
The Buddha not only gave women equal opportunities in their spiritual growth, he also gave due credit to their abilities and capabilities. The Buddha also stated that it is the husband's duty to hand over authority to his wife. In the early Buddhist period, it was possible for a girl to remain unmarried and independent without being judged by others. She could even be the owner of great possessions.
Thus, a woman should be equal in status with man in decision making. However, decision-making does not signify authority over others, but works in the capacity of modesty and respect.
How important is marriage and family life?
The Buddhist views on marriage are very liberal. In Buddhism, marriage is regarded entirely as a personal and individual concern, and not as a religious duty. Buddhism allows each individual the freedom to decide for him or herself all the issues pertaining to marriage. However, married life has always been viewed as a hindrance to spiritual pursuits. In spite of this, marriage and family life are still important to most people, and so the Buddha, realistic in his observation, explicitly stated both the duties of the husband towards the wife and vice versa in order to create a happy family life.
In Buddhism, is there such a thing as arranged marriages?
No, marriage in Buddhism is not arranged.
Does Buddhism permit divorce or separation?
To Buddhists, maintaining a happy family life is very important. Thus the Buddha in his teaching, explicitly stated both the duties of the husband towards the wife and the wife towards the husband in order to create a happy family relationship. Though in Buddhism separation or divorce is not prohibited, they would scarcely arise if the Buddha’s injunctions were strictly followed. However, human relationships still follow the law of conditions. Husband and wife come together when conditions mature, but when it comes to the time when conditions exterminate, this may lead to separation. If a couple really cannot agree with each other, separation may be preferable to a miserable family life for a long period of time. Yet, divorce often has an undesirable effect on the second generation and thus one should give serious consideration to its consequences. One should search for all possible ways of saving the marriage before making the decision of divorce. Though all phenomena in this world are impermanent, how one can maintain one’s true mind in this ever changing life where affection is most important and valuable.
How do single parent families get treated in the Buddhist community?
In the Buddhist community, mutual respect and understanding are important in human relations. Single parent families will be treated the same as conventional families, but more care and concern may be offered to them as they may be in greater need of help.
What view is adopted towards sexual issues such as pre-marital sex and adultery? Are they types of sexual misconduct?
Yes. In Buddhist texts, adultery is mentioned as one of a number of forms of sexual misconduct. For laypersons, sexual intercourse is forbidden with any woman before marriage who is under any form of protection -- whether that of parents, guardians, or the husband-to-be. In Buddhism, to commit sexual misconduct is a violation of one of the Five Precepts, which are the basic moral principles of conduct for our daily lives.
What is Buddhism's attitude regarding abortions?
The act of abortion, i.e. terminating the life of a foetus, is explicitly mentioned in Buddhist canonical scripture (the Vinaya-Pitaka) as a great offence. In theory, this is true but it depends on the situation. If a pregnant woman knows that the foetus is deformed and she is not allowed to abort it, it would be extremely unfair to the mother who will have to devote her whole life to take care of the deformed child. Also, if a woman becomes pregnant as a result of being raped, she would never be willing to take care of her foe’s child. Thus, the mother should have the right to make her own decision, on condition that the mother fully understand that she has to bear all resulting causes and consequences.
Do Buddhists believe in contraception?
Contraception is accepted by Buddhists. According to Buddhist tenets, the life cycle of a sentient being begins when consciousness enters the womb, and traditionally this has been considered the moment of conception. Therefore, there is no objection to contraception which prevents conception without damaging sentient life. However, termination of pregnancy (abortion) necessarily occurs after conception, so it is not advised.
What is Buddhism's attitude towards euthanasia?
Buddhism does not condone any act that results in the deprivation of life of any living being. This is more so with regard to cases involving human beings. According to Buddhism, life is suffering, and illness is only one aspect. Death is only a break in this continuous process, resulting in only a temporary end to suffering which is bound to recur with the next birth. Also, if the sufferer intentionally ends his own life, he is committing suicide and must one day face karmic retribution. In the same way, someone who enables a sufferer to die, even by request, is also culpable.
What is Buddhism's attitude towards drugs and alcohol?
When drugs are abused, the results can be devastating -- for the abuser, for those who care for him or her, and for society at large. Alcoholism is a chronic illness which manifests itself as a disorder of behavior. In Buddhism, the last of the Five Precepts advocates total abstinence from the consumption of intoxicants including drugs and alcohol. The observance by Buddhists of this precept is extremely important for the well being of one's mental and physical health. However, flexibility is allowed in situations, such as when alcohol or drugs have to be used for medical purposes, or if one uses strict self-control in consuming a minimal amount in a situation that cannot be avoided.
What is the Buddhist views on homosexuality?
Homosexuality applies to people who are sexually and emotionally attracted to others of the same sex, and is a kind of sex deviation. From the Buddhist point of view, this kind of sexual act can be regarded as sexual misconduct or sex abuse. In Buddhism, affection is a kind of attachment regardless of whether it is homosexuality or heterosexuality. Once when one is attached to it, it may be the cause of affliction or suffering.
What is the Buddhist attitude towards suicide?
According to the Buddhist doctrine, a man cannot avoid suffering by taking his own life, nor can he escape from samsara (cycles of death and rebirth) by so doing. The destruction of the physical body merely transfers the entity to another body or sphere of existence, and an unfavorable rebirth usually follows. Physical life is considered of great importance, as it is only here that the way of liberation can be followed and enlightenment attained. Taking one's own life, therefore, is not only a waste of opportunity, but also an offense of killing that creates more unwholesome karma.
As life was given to us by our parents to whom we should be grateful, the taking of one's life is an extremely disrespectful and disloyal act. Voluntary sacrifice of one's life for the welfare of others is considered meritorious, the motive being altruistic.
People are bound to face a lot of difficulties and stress in life. A way to reduce stress is to talk to people who can render help and give advice. In Buddhism, one should have the wisdom to manage difficulties. It is important that Buddhists should believe firmly in the Dharma and have a proper understanding of the truth of life and its impermanence. This would help them to see through and to let go of all attachments, whether they are good or bad. They should rest their mind in a state of immortality, i.e. not to be affected by any changes of the environment.