The Nature of Ethics in Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism

The Nature of Ethics in Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism

When asking the question about the nature of ethics, it is hard to explain where they came from because not everyone has the same views or religions. Since religions have different standards, there are different sources to them and different reasons for why people should follow them. When trying to find answers to questions about the nature of ethics, it is impossible to know which religion's view is correct. This paper will discuss the different views on the nature of ethics of three major religions: Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism.

Before trying to explain ethics in Hinduism, one must first know the basic beliefs in it. The ultimate goal for Hindus is to achieve Moksha, which is basically stopping the cycle of reincarnation and ceasing to exist. Hindus also believe in Samsara, which means that the present life is the result of previous existences bound by the law of Karma (Exploring Religious Meaning, 198). Karma is basically the notion that what one does in their present lifetime determines how he/she will live in their next lifetime. Hindus believe in reincarnation, so death is basically another part of the endless cycle of rebirths. Some compare Karma to the cycle of growth in crops. According to Katha Upanishad, "Like corn, man ripens and falls to the ground; like corn he springs up again in his season" (Burke, 22).

As to what ethical principles or standards of behavior Hindus govern their lives around depends on the person. Since most believe in Karma, they tend to live their lives in manner that they feel they will be rewarded in their next life. It is said that a Hindu that is born into a low caste has been punished through the Law ...

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..., more specifically Christianity and the Ten Commandments.

Christians want to achieve salvation and spend everlasting life with God in Heaven. They do this because it is their ultimate goal but also because they are afraid of the consequences of not following God's will. Christians believe that if they do not achieve salvation, they will spend all of eternity burning in the Lake of Fire in hell. As described in the Bible, it is a punishment no one would ever want to suffer.

Bibliography:

References

Affleck, Hofheinz, Lawrence, et. Exploring Religious Meaning. Fifth Edition. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 1998.

Burke, Thomas Patrick. The Major Religions: An Introduction With Texts. Blackwell Publishers. Cambridge, Massachusetts. (1996).

Kalupahana, David J. "Ethics in Early Buddhism". Vol. 9. University of Hawaii Press. (1995).