Good Moral Conduct - IS- HT4 Week 1 Flashcards
Kusala
Actions which are healthy, skilful or wholesome
Akusala
Actions which are unhealthy, unwholesome or unskilful
What does understanding which of our actions are kusala require?
Skilful means
Why is it not enough to have good intention?
Because we must also have a practical awareness of the consequences of our actions
What is moral conduct absolutely central to?
The Buddhist Way of life
What does the Eightfold Path show and what does this mean that moral conduct affects?
- shows the importance of Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood
- means that moral conduct affects our jobs
Two important Buddhist considerations about the issue of free will
- We are free to control our choices - by
following the Eightfold Path we can
consciously improve our lives and those of
others - We are not truly free - all beings are
conditioned by karma from our past lives
What is the general Buddhist perspective of free will?
People who are affected by the three poisons are not free, whereas the enlightened mind is free
What are the Five Precepts?
- Do not harm or kill
- Do not take what is not freely given
- Avoid sexual misconduct
- Avoid false speech
- Do not take intoxicants
Nature of the Five Precepts
- rules for all Buddhists
- main purpose is to teach how to live a kusala
life - no strict punishment for a layperson who
breaks them - instead should reflect on why
the rule was broken and how they can avoid
making the same mistake again
Which school of Buddhism strive to follow the Six Perfections?
Mahayana
What are the Six Perfections?
- Generosity
- Morality
- Patience
- Energy
- Meditation
- Wisdom
What are the Six Perfections essential to being?
An effective Bodhisattva
What does focusing on improving ourselves with the Six Perfections also allow?
Access to our Buddhanature more effectively
