Ethics

Question 1

What are The Three Jewels of Buddhism?

Answer 1

The Buddha, The Dharma, The Sangha

Question 2

What are the Four Noble Truths?

Answer 2

• Life is suffering (Dukkha)
• The cause of suffering is desire (Tanha)
• The cure for suffering is to overcome desire (Nirvana)
• The way to overcome desire is to follow The Eightfold Path

Question 3

Which of the Four Noble Truths describes self-understanding and control?

Answer 3

The Eightfold Path

Question 4

What are ethics?

Answer 4

Moral principles that guide a person’s behaviour. Ethics are a central part of religious beliefs and are often recorded in sacred texts.

Question 5

What are morals?

Answer 5

Beliefs about what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.

Question 6

What are bioethical issues?

Answer 6

Ethical issues that relate to biology or life.

Question 7

What is a lay Buddhist?

Answer 7

A person who follows Buddhism but is not a member of the Sangha.

Question 8

What five guidelines do lay Buddhists use as ethical guidelines?

Answer 8

The Five Precepts (ethical guidelines), which expand on ideas in The Eightfold Path.

Question 9

What is the First Precept?

Answer 9

To undertake the training to avoid taking the life of beings. This precept applies to all living beings not just humans. All beings have a right to their lives and that right should be respected.

Question 10

What is the Second Precept?

Answer 10

To undertake the training to avoid taking things not given. This precept goes further than just stealing. A person should avoid taking anything unless he/she can be sure it is meant for them.

Question 11

What is the Third Precept?

Answer 11

To undertake the training to avoid sensual misconduct. This precept covers sensual pleasure such as gluttony (greed) as well as misconduct of a sexual nature.

Question 12

What is the Fourth Precept?

Answer 12

To undertake the training to refrain from false speech. As well as avoiding lying, this precept covers slander as well as speech which is not kind or helpful to others.

Question 13

What is the Fifth Precept?

Answer 13

To undertake the training to abstain from substances which cause intoxication and carelessness. This precept does not label things like alcohol as evil, but warns that indulgence in alcohol/drugs could be the cause of breaking the other four precepts.

Question 14

Ahimsa is a Buddhist precept (ethical guideline). What does it mean?

Answer 14

Avoiding violence and showing respect for all living things.

Question 15

The legal killing of someone as punishment for a crime

Answer 15

Capital punishment. Accepted, but widely debated, in Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Question 16

Something that is used to stop the normal process of conception (pregnancy)

Answer 16

Contraception. Seen as unethical by conservative Christians, but not prohibited in Islam or Judaism.

Question 17

Armed conflict between different countries or different groups.

Answer 17

War. Considered acceptable in some circumstances by Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Violence is not accepted in Buddhism.

Question 18

When one person agrees to donate part of his/her body to another person (usually after death)

Answer 18

Organ donation. This is acceptable in Christianity and Judaism, but debated in Islam.

Question 19

Having too much alcohol, which may result in poor decision

Answer 19

Intoxication. Alcohol consumption is banned in Islam, but not forbidden in Judaism or Christianity.

Question 20

Kind/respectful treatment of of animals

Answer 20

Animal rights. Supported in Islam, Buddhism and Judaism, but often not considered by Christians of the past.