中欧社会论坛 - China Europa ForumBuddhism and the Construction of a Universal Ethic
Authors: Fang Litian
Extract from ” Zhongguo zongjiao, Religions in China, Vol.1, 2002“
The original document is divided into four sections.
The first section briefly explains certain fundamental principles of Buddhism. One major premise is the interconnectedness of all sentient beings. The ultimate goal of Buddhism is to liberate oneself from endless cycles of birth and death. By transcending all desire and suffering, a person can attain total freedom, or nirvana. To do so, he or she must develop the three basic disciplines of Buddhist practice: the path, meditation and wisdom.
The second section of the document discusses ethical aspects of the practice such as faith, thought and psychological factors. Practitioners of Buddhism develop a sense of vital energy and renewal, faith and perseverance.
The third section provides a short summary of the tenets and principles of Buddhism, including central concepts such as liberation and karma. As Buddhism has evolved through time, so have these tenets and principles.
The fourth and final section deals with the role of Buddhist philosophy in the development of a universal ethic. To determine the essential framework of a universal ethic, the following elements must be considered: 1) such an ethic must be relevant to the current global context, 2) it must be accessible and pertinent to a majority of those who practice another major faith, and 3) its basic moral principles must reflect the fundamental values required for the preservation and enlightenment of mankind. Written material should be limited, and that which exists should be brief and to the point, to transform words into action more easily.