Essential Ethics: A Buddhist Approach to Modern Day Life and Social Action

By Geshe Dakpa Topgyal

Modern life presents us with an infinite number of ethical challenges. How are we to know what is the wisest course of action? Should we look out for our own interests first and then worry about others? Or does our self cherishing attitude deny us the very happiness we seek? Do our individual actions really matter in a world that is beset by so many problems?

 

Essential Ethics: A Buddhist Approach to Modern Day Life and Social Action presents the teaching on ethics that was given more than 2,600 years ago by the Buddha Shakyamuni. The lessons from this enlightened human being are so fundamental to the human condition that they remain fully relevant today. Buddhist ethical guidelines have the potential to bring peace and harmony—from the individual to the universal level. An ethical lifestyle is the foundation for and prerequisite to all higher spiritual development, regardless of religious beliefs. The importance of ethics cannot be overemphasized, and this book offers a full discussion of the Buddhist approach.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dakpa Topgyal
• Release date: Jul 20, 2022
• ISBN: 9781952518089

Geshe Dakpa Topgyal

Geshe Dakpa Topgyal is well known for his particularly skillful means in presenting Tibetan Buddhism to Westerners. In addition to his years of experience and expertise, Geshe-la brings a kind heart and a sense of humor to his teaching that is both disarming and endearing. He was born in the Western region of Tibet, but fled to India at the age of six. He entered Drepung Loseling Monastery at the age of ten and received his Geshe degree (Doctorate of Religion and Philosophy) twenty-two years later in 1992. He taught for many years in Europe before coming to the United States. Between 1993 and 1994, he visited one hundred and twenty American cities giving lectures on Tibetan Buddhism and culture, and led a number of meditation retreats. Currently, he teaches students year round and serves as spiritual director of the Charleston Tibetan Society Dharma Center as well as the South Carolina Dharma Group in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition to authoring nine books, Geshe Topgyal has published practice manuals on topics such as Shamatha meditation, Vajrasattva purification, Guru Yoga of Lama Tsong-Khapa, Manjushri Sadhana Practice, Tara Sadhana Practice, Medicine Buddha Healing Practice, and Chenrezig Meditation and Mental Recitation of the Sacred Mantra of Chenrezig.

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Copyright

© 2007–2022 by Geshe Dakpa Topgyal

Photo credits / permissions: Sunset Ashoka pillar at Kutagarasala (front cover), Rufous, Adobe Stock; Snow lions, Barry Barnes, Adobe Stock; Chapter ornament, Азиза Сейфутдинова, Adobe Stock; Lotus sketch, designer_an, Adobe Stock; Geshe Topgyal, Dakpa Topgyal personal photograph.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system or technologies now known or later developed, without permission in writing from the publisher. For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.

Print ISBN 978-1-952518-07-2

ebook ISBN 978-1-952518-08-9

Published by Radiant Mind Press

12 Parkwood Avenue

Charleston, South Carolina 29403

[e-mail]

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The image of snow lions used throughout this book is from the flag of Tibet. According to the Central Tibetan Administration, the pair of snow lions represent Tibet’s victorious accomplishment of a unified spiritual and secular life. The radiant three-colored jewel held aloft between the two lions represents the ever-present reverence respectfully held by the Tibetan people towards the objects of refuge: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The two colored swirling jewel held between the two lions represents the people’s guarding and cherishing of the self discipline of correct ethical behavior.

Acknowledgments

This book would not have been possible without extraordinary support from a number of people. I have to begin with thanking my students Sara Graham, Grace Rice, Cheryl Novak Condy, Kristin Hess, and my friend Kathy Crowe for their generous support and tireless work on correcting the originally published manuscript over several times.

Several good Dharma friends encouraged me to write a book on essential ethics that could be applicable to normal everyday life in our normal society. I thank them too.

I also want to thank my lovely niece Passang Chokey for helping me type the initial manuscript.

For the 2022 reprint of Essential Ethics, minor revisions were made throughout to clarify meaning and add more headings. Otherwise, the content replicates the 2007 version. I thank Sheila Low-Beer who retyped the book after the original manuscript could not be located, proofed the reproduced manuscript, and consulted in the production process. Cynthia Laurrell formatted the book, also proofed it, and shepherded it through republication.

Finally, I pray and hope that this book on ethics by a simple Tibetan Buddhist monk will help people ethically heal—from their home to the universe.

Homage

The practice of ethics can be relied on to lead

to the perfect path to the state of liberation.

Ethics is the supreme and core essence

of the Buddha’s doctrine.

It is declared as Pratimoksha, the root of the

attainment of individual liberation from Samsara.

I pay heartfelt homage and prostrate to Buddha,

the all-knowing one.

Author’s Dedication

Decorative image of a lotus flower.

May the merit from writing this book

bring peace and happiness in all existing realms.

May His Holiness the Dalai Lama have a long life.

Shantideva quotation: "As a result of virtue I shall dwell in the spacious, fragrant and cool heart of a lotus flower."

Contents

Introduction

Ethics: The Indispensable Basis for All Good Qualities and Spiritual Realizations

The Ethics of Ten Virtuous Deeds

Abstaining From Actions That Cause Negative Social Consequences

Ethical Standards for the Media

Ethical Conduct of Parents Is a Vital Factor in a Child’s Upbringing

The Principles of Moral Conduct in Society

Becoming Good Human Beings Through Training in Moral Conduct

Formal Ethics of Pratimoksha

The Source of Immoral Conduct: Negative Thoughts and Emotions

Benefits of Individual Liberation Ethics

The Ethics of a Bodhisattva

The Four Ways of Magnetizing Living Beings Towards the Dharma

The Commitments of Training in Bodhicitta

The Ethics of Tantra

Conclusion

Appendices:

The Life of Buddha and His Fundamental Teachings

Kayas

The image of snow lions used throughout this book is from the flag of Tibet. For a complete description of it's symbolism, see the copyright page.

Introduction

Many people think of ethics and morality as merely religious concepts. They think that a serious consideration of ethics is reserved for seriously religious people.

I think that this attitude is mistaken.

This book is written to help readers understand the importance of ethics and to find a way of establishing basic ethical and moral principles regardless of religion.

Ethics is the foundation and the beginning point of Buddhism, and as a monk, I write from the Buddhist perspective. But these insights are applicable to anyone, religious or not. They are universal ethical guidelines for all worldly interactions and for individual spiritual development.

Our world is facing a glut of ethical crises at every level—from the family to the international level and even to outer space. Ethical principles are sometimes lacking in every important field—education, medicine, politics, business, science, arts and environment. World peace, prosperity, security and harmony can only spring from the cultivation of ethical and moral conduct. Ethical conduct must begin with the individual and then extend outward to influence the larger world.

This book emphasizes the individual’s responsibility for his or her own actions. Establishing good karma and merit through wholesome conduct and helping others is the most direct route to improving the condition of the world as well as the best method for gaining personal happiness. These benefits are powerful incentives for ethical conduct. Although supplication and prayers are better than nothing, they cannot compare with the power of heartfelt ethical actions.

The historical Buddha Shakyamuni taught that ethical conduct is the foundation for spiritual development and for the growth of basic human goodness. Lord Buddha persistently emphasized the importance of moral conduct for peace and harmony from the family to the universal level. In his final words before departing into parinirvana (the dissolution of his physical appearance from the eyes of the ordinary world) he said:

There is no need to appoint anyone as my successor. Rather, you should treat my teachings on moral and ethical conduct as your unerring teacher.

So you can see the paramount importance and usefulness of moral conduct for our spiritual development, of living our lives with a commitment to non-violence and inner self-discipline.

Becoming a spiritual person is not as important as becoming an ethical person. Many of the emotional conflicts that are experienced by people all over the world can be resolved by establishing inner discipline through the cultivation of morality. Moral guidelines and ethical behavior are essential for living a meaningful life and for the well-being of others. For those who accept the Buddhist view of karma and rebirth, morality can be valued for its beneficial effects on future lives.

I have written this book on ethics with the hope of being helpful to people who are serious about bringing these concepts into their daily lives. Therefore, I sincerely request that all readers practice ethical conduct as much as they can. The practice of ethics is all about internalizing rightness, wholesomeness, truthfulness, sincerity, honesty, humility and compassionate concern for others without being preoccupied with self-centeredness.

To be a good and ethical person is the best way to make positive contributions to our human world. Living with proper moral guidelines is what distinguishes human beings from all other living creatures.

Ethics is not just a religious concept. It is something that is essential for the growth of all that is good and constructive.

With prayers,

Geshe Dakpa Topgyal

March 2007

Chapter 1: Tibetan snow lions image.

Ethics: The Indispensable Basis for All Good Qualities and Spiritual Realizations

Buddhists, like doctors, believe the first rule of ethics is Do no harm. The second rule is Do all you can to help others around yourself. These are values everyone shares.

Buddha taught that good ethics is the foundation for spiritual practice, so Buddhists have examined ethics in great detail. There are many specific practices that encourage ethical behavior, even different schools of ethics. All Buddhist approaches emphasize the importance of motivation and working in harmony with natural law.

Ethics is not, however, a religious concept. Ethics is a human concept. People naturally want to reduce human suffering and increase peace, happiness and harmony. Ethics is the basis for the peace, happiness and harmony that we all seek. Most of human suffering stems from unethical and immoral actions and thoughts motivated by greed, lust, hatred, ignorance and self importance.

Ethics is like a fertile soil where all seeds can grow and bear fruit. The farmer makes sure that the soil contains necessary nutrients, and that it is free of rubble, weeds and poisonous plants. Similarly, pure ethical discipline nurtures higher spiritual training, including meditation and insight into the true nature of reality.

Proper cultivation of ethics helps you eliminate actions and thought patterns that are enormous barriers to your spiritual growth. Pure ethics also nurtures positive qualities. So if you neglect ethics, then you really do not know how to practice Dharma. Dharma is a Sanskrit word that literally means teaching or path. For a Buddhist, following Dharma means following the path laid out by Buddha. For non Buddhists it means following your own spiritual path.

To be ethical is the most important part of Dharma practice. There is not much meaning to any other spiritual practice if you are not an ethical person.

What Is the Buddhist Concept of Ethics?