Paper Title: The Current Relevance of Buddhist Ethics
Author:
Abstract:
The basic principle of human religion introduced in the post-Vedic era is non-violence and the successful proponent of this basic principle is Gautama Buddha. Although the religion he introduced is called Buddhism, it is actually a human religion. Buddha realized that every human being is subject to suffering, such as old age, disease, and death. To show people the way out of these sufferings, he renounced his royal wealth and embarked on austerity. He attained enlightenment and realized the four ultimate and supreme truths of life, which are called the “Four Noble Truths” in Buddhism. These four noble truths are called ‘ Catvāri Āryasatyāni’ . So, they are - a) There is sorrow in life. b) There is reason to be sad c) There is an end to suffering and d) There is a way to end suffering. Buddha has shown us a way to save people from suffering in the hands of the elderly. This path or path is called the ‘Aştāņgika Mārga’. This Aştāņgika Mārga, as a means of getting rid of suffering, is- a) Right view b) Right resolve c) Right speech d) Right action e) Right livelihood f) Right effort h) Right mindfulness and h) Right concentration. In this way, Buddha wanted to develop moral behavior, build good character, and instill a sense of humanity in people. He was very realistic and through his ethics, he showed the way to remove all the problems of human life in a realistic and rational way. In the post-Buddhist era, the Mauryan Emperor Aśoka, a devoted follower of Buddha, propagated the principles of Buddhism to the human society through his teachings. Infact, the principle of non-violence introduced by the Buddha was fully reflected in Aśoka’s policy of Dharmavijaya, by implementing which he was determined to establish world friendship, brotherhood, and world peace.
The non-violence principle of Buddha is completely extinct today, the message of equality is completely upset. Therefore, today’s India and the world need the presence of a just, compassionate, social reformer, and public welfare-loving person like Buddha who can build a just society by introducing the principle of non-violence.
Keywords:Catvāri Āryasatyāni, Aştāņgika Mārga, Right view ( सम्यक् दृष्टिः), Right resolve (सम्यक् संकल्पः), Right speech( सम्यक् वाक्) ,Right action(सम्यक् कर्मान्तः) etc.
DOI Link – https://doi.org/10.63431/AIJITR/2.III.2025.56-60
Review By – Dr. Rajib Sinha and Amit Adhikari