Human Values and Buddhist Ethics

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Foreword The Buddha delivered His teachings to live a virtuous human life. His lessons of morality, concentration and wisdom are useful for the removal of all kinds of human suffering. Buddhism is considered as the finest form of Dhamma to experience the ultimate reality which teaches about morality, the base of the ethics. The happiness is very much connected to the practice of moral values taught by Gautam Buddha.

I am acquainted with the academic capabilities of Dr. Gyanaditya Shakya who has written/edited/translated eleven books namely Bauddha Dharma Darshan mein Brahmavihara Bheivanc7, Jinalankara, Dathavamasa, Anagatavamsa, Chakesadhatuvamsa, Pancagatidipani, Namaripasamc7sa, Anagarika Dharmapala: the Revivalist of Buddhism, Gandhavamsa, Bauddha Dharma ke Punaruddharaka: Tripitakacharya Dr Bhikshu Dharmarakshit and The Revivalist of Buddhism: Anagarika Dharmapala and Sangharaja Saranankara.

I am pleased to know that Dr. Shakya has completed a new book entitled Human Values and Buddhist Ethics. It is written on the basis of Gautam Buddha's ethical teachings. This work emphasizes the need of Buddhist ethics which describes about the role of Buddhist ethics in the contemporary society. It covers all the essential topics, which are needed to understand the concept of Buddhist ethics and its significance in human life.

The subject matter described in this book is very helpful in the fulfillment of the necessities of the society. The language and style of this book is very attractive and easy to be understood by the readers. It is nice source of knowedge about the significance of Buddhist ethics. This is an admirable academic work in the field of Buddhist Studies, Pali and Ethics. I hope that such type of literary contributions will be continued by him for the development of Buddhist literature. I wish the author for the success of this priceless academic effort.

Preface Buddhism is the Dhamma which focuses on the spiritual peace of individual. The teachings of Gautam Buddha help to achieve a happy life and it is a well-known truth that Pali literature is an essential medium to know about Buddhism, it provides a base for the development of proper understanding about Buddhism and its philosophy. All the teachings of Gautam Buddha have been classified into three sections like sila (morality), samadhi (concentration) and panna (wisdom). Buddhism highlights on morality and its practice in daily life. After studying the different texts of Pali literature, I realized that the discourses related to morality are very essential to be practiced for the development of good conduct. The practice of morality teaches the lesson how to develop the righteous conduct, so it should be followed to be a thoughtful person.

After the publication of eleven books, I decided to write such book which could be helpful to know the significance of Buddhist ethics for the seeker of knowledge. Hence, I started my work on Buddhist ethics and Gautam Buddha's ethical teachings. Based on His original teachings, I wrote this book to explain the role of His ethical teachings in the achievement of happy and peaceful life. Because of this pure thought, I worked hard with concentration and dedication to complete it. I tried to cover all the essential topics to explain the moral values and the ethical teachings of Gautam Buddha under the title of Human Values and Buddhist Ethics. My firm determination and the blessings of triple gems made my efforts successful and my book is before you.

It is my great pleasure to say that I have been honoured by Hon'ble Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on 4th April 2019 with 'Presidential Award of Maharshi Badrayan Vyas Samman' for the outstanding contribution in the field of Pali language & literature. I also had been awarded with `Vividh Puraskar 'by Hon'ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh Shri Ram Naik and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath on 7th February 2018 for my edited & translated work Namarapasamasa.

Introduction The contemporary society needs to have more compassion in heart and peace in mind because the greed of earning more wealth has tend them towards unethical doings while this fast moving life has detached them from the society and killed emotions towards other living beings either the humans or the animals. Now, people don't think about the harms of their wrong doings on nature and society which result in several problems for mankind. The change is must for the welfare of future generations and for all this, society needs to learn ethics so that they could eliminate evil thinking and could follow peace and righteous doings. The role of Buddhism and the holy teachings of Gautam Buddha cannot be ignored as Gautam Buddha is the universal symbol of peace and happiness because He preached His Dhamma to establish humanity among the society. His teachings have been explained in the form of sila (morality), samadhi (concentration) and panna (wisdom).

It is true that Gautam Buddha preached His teachings for the establishement of an ideal society and described ethical values as its foundation. Buddhism draws attention to the practice of morality for the welfare of every living being and the lesson of morality given by Gautam Buddha is considered as Buddhist ethics. That is why; Gautam Buddha has emphasized on the practice of moral values in His several discourses. Having understood the need and relevance of these ethics, this book attempts to highlight the ethical teachings of Gautam Buddha which are very useful and practical in modern society. With the help of the original teachings of Gautam Buddha, I tried to explain Buddhist ethics and its role.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages