BUDDHIST MORALITY “Whosoever in this world destroys life…..interferes with their own progress in this very world”

The Sanctity of Life  Tibetan Buddhists emphasise their belief in the value of human life by using the following analogy – “Being reborn as a human is as likely as a blind turtle which is swimming in a large ocean and surfaces once every one hundred years, putting its head through a small golden ring which is floating on the surface of the water”

War and Peace  “Laying aside the cudgel and the sword he dwells compassionate and kind to all living creatures” Digha Nikaya ch1. v 4.  Policy of peaceful resistance to the Chinese invasion of Tibet in  Buddhist Peace Fellowship are involved in disarmament work and non – violent campaigns for human rights.  Emperor Asoka showed remorse.  Vietnamese Monks and self immolation.

Prejudice  “Many do not know that we are here to live in harmony” Dhammapada ch. 6.  Metta – loving kindness.  “Tolerance is a principal virtue in Buddhism and it is a virtue that is called for when one meets different beliefs and values. Being tolerant for a Buddhist, means showing love to the fellow human being holding those beliefs different to you” – Adiccabanhu, a Theravada Buddhist Monk.  Right Action and Right Speech from the Eightfold Path.  Buddha rejected the caste system.  All peoples possess Buddha nature.

Animals  “All things should be happy and at one” – Metta Sutra.  “There is a striking similarity between exterminating the life of a wild animal for fun and terminating the life of an innocent fellow human being at the whim of a more capable and powerful person” – Buddhist Declaration, Assisi  Vegetarian or not?  “I find it disgraceful that animals are being used without being shown the slightest compassion, and that they are used for scientific experiments” His Holiness, the Dalai Lama –  “All breathing, existing, living sentient creatures should not be slain or treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away” – Anchoranga Sutra