For more than a quarter of a century, those in search of an introduction to Buddhist moral thought have turned and returned to this little volume... Thus notes Charles Hallisey of Harvard University in his introduction. Starting with an examination of classical Greek notions of ethics, Venerable Saddhatissa goes on to explain the development of Buddhist moral codes and their practical application. In this work, Venerable Saddhatissa starts with an examination of Western notions of ethics, beginning with the early Greek philosophers and moving on to show us how the study of morality is crucial to a clear understanding of the Buddhist tradition. Drawing on a vast array of Buddhist scriptures, Venerable Saddhatissa explains the development and position of Buddhist precepts from a traditional perspective, while simultaneously offering clear and practical advice on how best to live the moral life of a lay Buddhist practitioner. Throughout Buddhist Ethics, Venerable Saddhatissa always keeps us in touch with the pragmatic uses of Buddhist moral practices, not only as a way to live in harmony with the world, but as an indispensable aspect of the path to the Buddhists highest spiritual goal.

Buddhist Ethics, Hammalawa Saddhatissa, Wisdom Publications, Paperback, 177 pp., $18.95

Venerable Hammalawa Saddhatissa was born in Sri Lanka in 1914 and ordained as a Buddhist monk at the age of twelve. The author of and translator of a number of scholarly works on Buddhism, he was also the president of the Mahabodhi Society. Recognized as a Mahathera, the highest rank in the Theravada monastic tradition, Venerable Saddhatissa traveled widely throughout his long career. He died in 1990.

CONTENTS: Buddhist Ethics
PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION		vii
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION		ix
INTRODUCTION by Charles Hallisey		xi
1	DEFINITIONS AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND	1
	Scope of the Study of Ethics	1
	Indian Thought in the Sixth Century B.C.E.	4
2	ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHEST STATE	15
	The Enlightenment of the Buddha	15
	Life of Gotama Buddha	15
	The Chain of Dependent Origination or Paticcasamuppada	16
	The Self and the Anatta Doctrine	20
	The Three Characteristics of Existence	23
	The Mahakaruna of the Buddha	26
3	THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REFUGES	31
	The Threefold Refuge	31
	The First Refuge: The Buddha	33
	The Second Refuge: The Dhamma	35
	The Third Refuge: The Sangha	52
4	SANCTIONS OF MORAL CONDUCT: THE PRECEPTS	59
	The Five Precepts (Panca Sila)	59
	The Eight Precepts (Attha Sila)	79
	The Ten Precepts (Dasa Sila)	80
5	THE UNDERLYING IDEALS OF THE MORALITIES	81
	Relating to the Precepts to the Refuges	81
	Position of the Laity in Early Buddhism	83
	The Buddha's Approach to Teaching the Moralities	89
	Advice to the Individual Layman	92
6	THE LAYMAN'S DUTIES TO HIS ASSOCIATES	97
	Children and Parents	97
	Husband and Wife	99
	Friends	102
	Teacher and Pupil	105
	Servants and Workpeople	106
	Duties Connected with Means of Livelihood	107
7	THE LAYMAN'S RELATION TO THE STATE	113
8	THE ULTIMATE GOAL	127
	Statements of the Aim	127
	Nirvana, Nibbana	127
	Freeing of Mind, Freeing of Insight	139
	Origin of Attainment	142
ABBREVIATIONS		151
NOTES		152
INDEX		169