BuddhaSasana Home Page What Buddhists Believe Venerable K. Sri
Dhammananda Maha Thera Every country or society has its code of
what are considered to be moral actions within its social
context. These codes are often linked to the society's interest
and its code of law. An action is considered right so long as it
does not break the law and transgress public or individual
sensitivities. These man-made codes are flexible and amended
from time to time to suit changing circumstances. Important as
they are to society, these man-made standards cannot serve as a
reliable guide to some principles of morality which can be
applied universally. By contrast, Buddhist morality is not the
invention of human minds. Neither is it based on tribal ethics
which are gradually being replaced by humanistic codes. It is
based on the universal law of cause and effect (kamma), and
considers a 'good' or 'bad' action in terms of the manner it
affects oneself and others. An action, even if it brings benefit
to oneself, cannot be consider