Morality In Buddhism

Six perfection of Bodhisattva

Morality or Ethics In Buddhism is following the Dharma in all aspects, but not without thinking. Working the Dhamma into one’s daily life with intelligence and understanding.

Ten Bed Courses of Action are:

1. Taking life

2. Stealing

3. Sexual misconduct

4. Lying

5. Divisive speech

6. Harsh speech

7. Idle chitchat

8. Covetousness

9. Malice

10. Wrong view

Ten wholesome actions

Bodily actions:

1. "People are scrupulous and kind, living full of compassion for all living beings."

2. "They give up stealing. They don’t, with the intention to commit theft, take the wealth or belongings of others from village or wilderness."

3. "They give up sexual misconduct. They don’t have sexual relations with women who have their mother, father, both mother and father, brother, sister, relatives, or clan as guardian. They don’t have sexual relations with a woman who is protected on principle, or who has a husband, or whose violation is punishable by law, or even one who has been garlanded as a token of betrothal."

Verbal actions:

1. "A certain person gives up lying. ‘Please, mister, say what you know.’ Not knowing, they say ‘I don’t know.’ Knowing, they say ‘I know.’ Not seeing, they say ‘I don’t see.’ And seeing, they say ‘I see.’ So they don't deliberately lie for the sake of themselves or another, or for some trivial worldly reason."

2. "They give up divisive speech.

3. "They give up harsh speech. They speak in a way that’s mellow, pleasing to the ear, lovely, going to the heart, polite, likable and agreeable to the people."

4. "They give up talking nonsense. Their words are timely, true, and meaningful, in line with the teaching and training."

Mental actions:

1. "They don’t covet the wealth and belongings of others: ‘Oh, if only their belongings were mine!’ They have a kind heart and loving intentions: ‘May these sentient beings live free of enmity and ill will, untroubled and happy!’"

2. "They are loving, and live with their heart full of love."

3. "It’s when someone has such a right view." There is meaning in giving, sacrifice, and offerings. There are fruits and results of good and bad deeds. There is an afterlife. There are duties to mother and father. There are beings reborn spontaneously. And there are ascetics and brahmins who are well attained and practiced, and who describe the afterlife after realizing it with their own insight.