Jain and Buddhist Ethical Ideals Article reviews sociology homework help
Jain and Buddhist Ethical Ideals
Jain and Buddhist traditions are alike in being non-theist (not making reference to a creator God). Thus, they do not think of living beings as “creatures,” created by God. Jains believe in an eternal soul, (thejÄ«va) and living beings classified according to the number of senses they have. On the other hand, Buddhists believe in no self,anÄtmanof persons, and the emptiness of all phenomenashÅ«nyatÄ. Nevertheless, they both have highly developed ethical systems. Here is the Points to Ponder 3.3 question from Module 3.
In this discussion, reflect on the following two passages, considering how the ethical ideals from Jain and Buddhist traditions are expressed. What similarities in spiritual practice do you notice? How does the Jain aspiration to a life of ahimsÄ (non-harming) compare to the Buddhist practice of the bodhisattva? Can you find any significant differences in approach to life reflected here?
[PASSAGE 1] This is the vow that a Jain layperson takes, based on words of some of MahÄvÄ«ra VardhamÄna’s lay disciples, who lived in the sixth century B.C.E.
I will desist from the knowing or intentional destruction of all great lives [trasa, i.e., souls embodied with two or more senses]. As long as I live, I will neither kill nor cause others to kill. I shall strive to refrain from all such activities, whether of body, speech, or mind (Jaini, p. 173).
[PASSAGE 2] This passage is from the BodhicharyÄvatÄra, written by ShÄntideva (2006), a seventh-century C.E. Buddhist. It is a prayer that expresses a bodhisattva‘s aspirations to be of help to all living beings.
Through all these [meritorious] actions now performedAnd all the virtues I have gained,May all the pain of every living beingBe wholly scattered and destroyed.
For all those ailing in the world,Until their every sickness has been healed,May I myself become for themThe doctor, nurse, the medicine itself. …
This body I have now resignedTo serve the pleasure of all living beings.Let them ever kill, despise, and beat it,Using it according to their wish.
—BodhicharyÄvatÄra III. 7–8, 13,Padmakara, pp. 48–49
Clearly LABEL and EXPLAIN your answers. 350-400 words