A Critical Study of the Multicultural Elements of Buddhist Social Philosophy and Ethics

Abstract

Buddhist ethics and social philosophy has been a very popular subject among the scholars and the general writers on Buddhism. Further Buddhism both Theravada und Mahayana emphasizes the importance of practical aspect related to ethics leading to freedom (nibbana), the final aim to be achieved by a Buddhist. The ethical codes prescribed in almost all religions in the world mostly bear the similar characteristics though their philosophies, aims and objectives are different from each other. Most of the philosophical speculations of the world religions are based on beliefs and there cannot be seen a logical relationship between the philosophy and ethics recommended in them. Buddhism holds a unique position in this regard because its philosophy and ethical codes are mutually interdependent. And also the basic elements of Buddhist ethics specially related to its social philosophy refer to the universal truths that can be experienced by all. It also should be mentioned that some Buddhist ethical codes related to various cultural contexts have been recommended taking the relevant characteristics into consideration. Although sometimes they seem unacceptable in relation to basic elements of Buddhist Philosophy, they encourage the social harmony in any given society. Whatever difference occurs in Buddhist ethical codes, they directly or indirectly are connected with the gradual path of Buddhism viz. SI!a - morality, Samadhi - concentration and Pafifia - wisdom. The above facts have not adequately been taken into consideration as a whole in modern researches on Buddhist social philosophy and ethics. So we have taken an 111,·111pt to elucidate such points mentioned above with reference to the topics such as I I I ltuddhis: path to deliverance, general nature of Buddhist social philosophy and ethics in I I I I •>!'�l�r to prove their acceptability and sustainability in any given society. The modem I I w111·ld has become a global village due to the development of modem science and I 111 ·ltnology. With its progress the blind beliefs and practices seem to disappear from the wuy of life of common people. Therefore time has already come to review our truditional religious concepts and ethical codes and point out their acceptability and Iruitfulness to the modem society which is multicultural in its nature.