The Ethics of

Buddhism
Gianna Braga and Cenna Papola

Same-Sex Marriage

It is a neutral topic in Buddhism.

Most Buddhist literature indicates that opposition to or support for
marriage rights for same-sex couples is a personal, rather than religious,
statement (Stances of Faith).
Nothing in Buddhism says anything for or against the LGBT+ community.
As long as a relationship is consensual, it is generally approved by
Buddhists.

War

Buddhism is a peaceful religion.

It is very against violence and killing.
Non-violence is at the heart of Buddhist thinking and behaviour (Religions:
Buddhism).
Buddhist monks are allowed to practice martial arts for self defense.

The rules are very strict about how they can use violence.

Most martial arts traditions have strong spiritual and philosophical elements, and insist on
a responsible and minimalist attitude to violence.

Organ Donation

There are no rules for or against organ donation in Buddhist beliefs.

It's another topic that is based on personal belief and opinion.
The death processes and respecting the deceased is very important
however, there are no beliefs that say the body should be preserved in its
entirety, so removing organs is not an issue from this point of view.
Buddhists also have to consider the consciousness of the dead.

Some believe it lingers for a while after the person dies.

It is important not to disturb the body until after the consciousness has left.

But others may decide this final act of generosity can only have positive
ramifications.

Animals
Buddhists have positive and negative views on animals.
Buddhists are allowed to eat meat.
They are against animal testing unless it's for the greater good, the animal is
treated well, and there is no alternative.
Negative
Positive

Buddhists are supposed to treat human and

nonhuman life with kindness and equal
respect.
Buddhists believe that is wrong to hurt or
kill animals, because all beings are afraid of
injury and death.
They believe humans can be reincarnated
as animals and animals as humans and that
both can become enlightened.

The doctrine of karma implies that

souls are reborn as animals because of
past misdeeds.
Early Buddhists believed that animals
were spiritually inferior and used that to
justify their mistreatment of animals.

Capital Punishment

There is no unified policy on capital punishment.

If capital punishment is administered then both the offender and the
punisher will receive compromising effects on their souls in future
incarnations.
Believe that severe punishment is impossible to be given with composure
and compassion.
...if the crime is particularly serious, the person may be banished from the
community or country (Religion: Buddhism).
Some Buddhist countries, such as Thailand, continue to use the death
penalty because of old traditions.

Euthanasia and Suicide

Most Buddhists are against involuntary euthanasia.

Most believe voluntary euthanasia is wrong because it shows that someone
has allowed their minds to be in a bad state and let physical suffering
become mental suffering.
Believe the solution is meditation and proper use of pain killing drugs.
Buddhists regard death as a transition. The deceased person will be reborn
to a new life, whose quality will be the result of their karma...So a person's
state of mind at the time of death is important - their thoughts should be
selfless and enlightened, free of anger, hate or fear. This suggests that
suicide is only approved for people who have achieved enlightenment and
that the rest of us should avoid it (Religion: Buddhism).

Contraception

The most common Buddhist view on birth control is that contraception is

acceptable if it prevents conception, but that contraceptives that work by
stopping the development of a fertilised egg (such as IUD birth control) are
wrong and should not be used (Religion: Buddhism).

Buddhists do not regard having children as a religious duty.

Buddhists actively seeking enlightenment should not use birth control in

order to pursue sexual pleasure.

Abortion

Buddhists believe that life should not be destroyed, but they regard causing
death as morally wrong only if the death is caused deliberately or by
negligence.
Traditional Buddhism rejects abortion because it involves the deliberate
destroying of a life. Buddhists regard life as starting at conception.
Buddhists are expected to take full personal responsibility for everything
they do and for the consequences that follow.
Abortion is alright if the mothers life is threatened because of the babys
birth or if the baby will be born will a handicap that will cause them
suffering.

Works Cited
Buddha Statue. Digital image. List of Writers on Buddhism. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.

Dharma Wheel. Digital image. Dharma Wheel. Religion Facts, n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.

Pygmy Goat. Digital image. Shady Locust Pygmies. N.p., 15 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.

Rainbow Flag. Digital image. Inside Out. MoMA, 17 June 2015. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.

"Religions: Buddhism." BBC - Religion: Buddhism. N.p., 2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.

"Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: Buddhism." Human Rights Campaign. Human Rights Campaign, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.