Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
6. Buddhist ethics are based on the teachings and principles of Buddhism, which emphasize the cultivation of wisdom, compassion, and moral conduct. Discuss. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In the introduction, given brief of major aspects of Buddhist ethics.
Body:
Explain the detail that Buddhism proposes a way of thinking about ethics based on the assumption that all sentient beings want to avoid pain. Thus, the Buddha teaches that an action is good if it leads to freedom from suffering.
Next, Mention the Do No Harm principle, Compassion, Justice and Accountability etc which the Buddhist philosophy emphasises.
Mention its application in daily life,
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning Buddhist moral claims of compassion and equality can contribute to the thinking of modern educational issues, such as peace education, ecological education
