Buddhist Bioethics Flashcards
To understand ethical teachings to an understanding of Buddhism as a living religious tradition.
Identify the key beliefs that are used as a guide to ethical behaviour and understanding?
Three Jewels
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path (Sila, Prajna & Samadhi)
Explain the purpose and significance of the Three Jewels to ethical behaviour and understanding?
Buddhists take refuge in the dharma (teachings) as sources of guidance to alleviate dukkha (suffering) caused by the issue which are given by the Buddha.
The Buddha is taken refuge to reflect and advise the individual how the teacher would respond ethically to the issue.
The Sangha is taken refuge through the guidance of the monastic council to guide and interpret the doctrines or dharma to help resolve the problem.
Explain the purpose and significance of the Four Noble Truths to ethical behaviour and understanding?
It outlines the underlying principles of a Buddhist’s life that there is the existence of dukkha (suffering) which is caused by tanha (desire) that stems from the bioethical issue. The way to overcome or resolve the dukkha and tanha caused is through the middle path, which opens up insight to the Buddhist worldview on responding to the bioethical issue.
Explain the purpose and significance of the Eightfold Path (Sila, Prajna & Samadhi) to ethical behaviour and understanding?
The Eightfold path gives purpose to an individual to achieve enlightenment through increasing in prajna by developing self understanding and control over the bioethical issue - steps 1 & 2.
They develop a better understanding of Sila that expresses their faith and resolves the issue through ethical behaviour that is committed towards progression in enlightenment - steps 3, 4 & 5.
With a clearer understanding of the issue and a commitment to ethical actions to resolve the issue they develop peacefulness in mental development and control through Samadhi - steps 6, 7 & 8.
Explain the purpose and significance of the Concept of Karma and Samsara to ethical behaviour and understanding?
Karma is the direct consequence of an action performed by a Buddhist individual than a punishment or reward. If a skillful action is performed, then the karma increases as a result and decreases if an unskillful action is performed. The breaking of the cycle of Samsara is dependent on the consequence of an action that it would be more difficult to break if bad karma is generated and therefore progression towards Nirvana would take longer.
Explain the purpose and significance of the Concept of Nirvana to ethical behaviour and understanding?
Outlines the way to enlightenment and gives a Buddhist individual a purpose to work towards skillful actions so they are progressing closer to the path of enlightenment.
What are the two moral theories that inform a Buddhist’s response, understanding and ethical behaviour towards a bioethical issue?
Absolutist - Theravadan argue that certain teachings are to be applied in all cases because they are universally true i.e. Ahimsa is unskillful no matter the circumstance.
Utilitarian - Mahayana (which includes Vajrayana - Tibetan Buddhists) argue that consideration of circumstances and overall happiness (lessening of dukkha) should be taken into account.
Explain the purpose and significance of the Five Precepts as a source of teaching that guides ethical behaviour and understanding?
The three steps from the Eightfold Path that inform Sila (3. Right speech → speaking the truth, 4. Right action → expressing loving behaviour rather than destructive and 5. Right livelihood → make strong decisions in everyday life by following simple acts of living) were expanded to advise behaviour for adherents, in responding ethically to bioethical issues that encourage commitment to change in behaviour.
Identify the sources of ethical teaching that guide a Buddhist’s response and impact on a bioethical issue?
5 Precepts- Ist Precept Ahimsa
Karuna (compassion)
Vinaya (rules and teachings used by monks and nuns in the Sangha)
Which precept of the Five precepts would be most useful and beneficial to guide a Buddhist’s ethical actions in resolving or responding to a bioethical issue?
Precept 1. to abstain from taking life (Ahimsa)
How are the essential components of Sila, Prajna and Samadhi interrelated when guiding a Buddhist’s response and impact on a Bioethical issue?
When an individual increases in Prajna (wisdom and understanding) of a bioethical issue, they are able to better understand how to ethically conduct themselves (Sila) to resolve the issue. This enables them to have a clearer mind and achieve peacefulness of mind to perform Samadhi (meditation) which help guides their spiritual development and progression towards Nirvana.
How do the human conditions Anatta, Anicca and Dukkha inform a Buddhist’s understanding and need of Ethics in their life?
Buddhists understand that everything in life contains the conditions of Anatta (unchanging soul), undergoes anicca (change) and contains some form of dukkha (suffering) that there is a need for ethics. Through ethics an individual reduces suffering and draws closer to breaking the cycle of Samsara and progresses closer towards Nirvana.
Explain the understanding of Karma in relation to a Buddhist’s ethical actions and behaviour (Sila)?
Consequences of actions either generate positive Karma if skillful and good or generate negative consequences if unskillful. The increase or decrease of Karma to an individual determines the cycle of Samsara and progression towards Nirvana.
What are the underlying principles that inform and guide Buddhist bioethics?
Autonomy/Freedom: The individual’s right to control and choose actions. Also having the right to accept or reject ethical teachings.
Practicality: Rather basing ethical action and understanding on ethical teachings, they are established through their practical application.
Ahimsa: No violence is to be directed or inflicted upon a sentient being
Metta: Viewing ethical circumstances with a mind of compassion
What is the impact on an individual if they choose to not follow the precepts?
When an individual chooses not to follow the precepts or is disobedient- then individuals or groups suffer the consequences. Not following the precepts does not incur punishment but the action creates a direct consequence of action i.e. suffering.
