An Analytical Study of the Psychological Basis of Buddhist

Ethics

By:
Miss Kustiani
Index Number: 2009/M.Phil/E/2063

THE PROPOSAL RESEARCH FOR MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY

DEGREE IN BUDDHIST STUDIES
Submitted to the Postgraduate Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies,

University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

2009

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 An Analytical Study of the Psychological Basis of Buddhist
Ethics

1. Introduction, Aims and Objectives

Ethics or moral training is an essential aspect of every religion. Even in modern philosophy,
ethics plays an important role. Religions as well as philosophical traditions are mostly concerned with the
human behavior and the destiny of man. So, in such traditions we find various opinions and explanations
of the ethical proposition. As far as Buddhist ethics is concerned, it differs from almost all other such
traditions due to some specific reasons. One of those reasons is that the Buddhist ethics is mainly related
to the highest spiritual development called Nibbāna. Although there are many other aims of Buddhist
ethics, its main objective is to lead people to the attainment of Nibbāna. Therefore, my aim in this
research is to analyze the psychological relationship with Buddhist ethics mentioned in the discourses and
the Vinayas.

As the Buddhist ethics is a very popular subject among the scholars, there exists a large number
of works on this topic. According to my observation, there is no direct approach to the psychological
basis of Buddhist ethics in those texts. They are mostly concerned of explaining Buddhism in relation to
the social aspect such as, environment, economics and politics. Some of them are mentioned below:

1. Dharmasiri, Gunapala. Fundamentals of Buddhist Ethics. Singapore: The Buddhist Research

Society, 1986.
2. Ed. Keown, Damien. Contemporary of Buddhist Ethics. London: Routledge Courzon. Taylor and
Francis Group, 2000.
3. Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2000.
4. Kalupahana, D. J. Ethics in Early Buddhism. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private
Limited, 2008.
5. Tachibana, S. The Ethics of Buddhism. Colombo: The Bauddha Sāhitya Sabhā, 1943.

So, according to my considered opinion, an exhaustive study of the psychological basis of

Buddhist ethics has not hitherto been undertaken by modern scholars. Although attention has been paid to
clarify the spiritual basis of Buddhist ethical system in relation to the gradual path in some modern works,

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we do not find an analysis of the Abhidhammic explanation of the psychological basis of Buddhist ethics
in them. Therefore, I hope to consult not only the Pāli discourses but also the Abhidhammic philosophy in
this regard.

2. The Methodology of Research

The common methods followed in academic researches based on literature will be followed here too. The
methods of this research as follows:

I. Data collection
II. Classification of data
III. Data analysis
IV. Generalization of data and arranging of possible conclusion

The above mentioned methods will be followed keeping in mind the historical, analytical, comparative
and critical point of views. The primary sources such as Pāli canon including the Abhidhamma Piţaka
with their exegetical literature and the authoritative secondary sources will be utilized for this research.

3. The Research Scheme (Chapters)

Based on the consideration of the vastness of this research, it will be divided in six chapters. The chapters
will be as follows:

Chapter 1. Basic Teaching of Buddhism and Buddhist Ethics

In this chapter attention will be focused on clarifying the relationship between the fundamental teaching
of Buddhism and Buddhist ethics. Further, the aims and objectives of Buddhist path also will be clarified
here in brief.

Chapter 2. Contemporary Religious Background of India and Buddhist Ethics

The ethical teaching of brāhmaņa and sramana tradition in India in the 6 th century B.C. will be
comparatively analyzed here in order to highlight the specific characteristic of Buddhist ethics. In this
chapter we will examined whether there are the differences or similarities of Buddhist Ethics with the
ethical teaching of brāhmaņa and sramana tradition.

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 Chapter 3. Aims and Objectives of Buddhist Ethics

The mundane benefit and spiritual progress related to Buddhist ethics will be examined here with the
purpose to explain the goal of Buddhism. How Buddhist ethics leads to the attainment the spiritual goal of
Buddhism is pinpoint of this chapter.

Chapter 4. Psychological Processes Related to Buddhist Ethics

The terms such as cetana, sankhara, puñña, papa, kusala and akusala are concerned of the discussion of
this chapter in relation to the analyses of mundane mental concomitant explained in the suttas as well as
in the Abhidhamma.

Chapter 5. Universal Significance of Buddhist Ethics

As Buddhist ethics mainly related to the common psychological sphere of human beings, it can be applied
in any society in the world. Therefore, in this chapter contains the explanation of the universal
applicability of Buddhist ethics.

Chapter 6. Conclusion

A summary of the foregoing chapters as well as the general conclusion based on the research will be
presented in this chapter.

4. Blibliography
a. Primary Sources:
1. Aung, S. Z. and Rhys Davids, C. A. F. Compendium of Philosophy
(Abhidhammattasangaha). London: P.T.S., 1990.
2. Aung, Shwe Zan and Ryhs Davids, Mrs. Points of Controversy (Kathāvatthu). London:
Published for P.T.S. by Messrs. Luzac and Company, Ltd., 1960.

3. Chaṭṭha Saṅgāyana Tipiṭaka Version 4. India: Vipassana Research Institute, 1995.

4. Ed, Steinthal, P. Udāna. London: P.T.S., 1904.

5. Ed. Anderson and Smith, H. Suttanipāta. London: P.T.S., 1948.
6. Ed. Muller, E. Atthasālinī. London: P.T.S., 1915.
7. Hare, E. M. and Rhys Davids, Mrs. The Book of Gradual Sayings ( Aṅguttara Nikāya).
Volume III. London: P.T.S., 1973

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 8. Horner, I. B. Middle Length Sayings (Majjhima Nikāya). 3 Volumes, London: P.T.S., 1954-
1959.
9. Horner, I. B. The Book of Discipline (Vinaya Piţaka). 6 Volumes, London: Published for
P.T.S. by Messrs. Luzac and Company, Ltd., 1949-1966.
10. Law, B. C. Designation of Human Types (Puggalapaññati). London: P.T.S., 1979.
11. Ňāņamoli. Path of Purification, Fifth Edition, Kandy: BPS, Sri Lanka, 1991.

12. Narada. The Dhammapada, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Cultural Center, 2000.

13. Pesala, Bhikkhu. The Debate of King Milinda. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers,
Pvt. Ltd., 1991.
14. Rhys Davids, C. A. F. A Buddhist Manual of Psychology Ethics (Dhammasangani) .
London: Originally published by Royal Asiatic Society, 1900. First Indian edition 1975.
15. Rhys Davids, C. A. F. and Woodward, F.L. The Book of Kindred Sayings (Saṃyutta Nikāya).
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17. Woodward, F. L. and Rhys Davids, Mrs. The Book of Gradual Sayings (Aṅguttara Nikāya).
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b. Secondary Sources:
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3. Law, Bimala Churn. Concepts of Buddhism. New Delhi: Gian Publishing House, 1986.
4. Kalupahana, D. J. Ethics in Early Buddhism. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private
Limited, 2008.
5. Dhammavihari. Buddhist Ethics of Pañcasīla. Sri Lanka: Buddhist Cultural Centre, 2006.
6. Ed. Keown, Damien. Contemporary of Buddhist Ethics. London: Routledge Courzon. Taylor and
Francis Group, 2000.
7. Ed. Malasekera, G. P. Encyclopedia of Buddhism. 6 Volumes Available. Government of Sri
Lanka. First Volume published in 1961.

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8. Ed. Tiwary, Mahesh. Perspective on Buddhist Ethics. New Delhi: Department of Buddhist
Studies Delhi University, 1989.
9. Sumanapala, G. D. An Introduction to Theravada Abhidhamma. Singapore: Buddhist Research
Society, 1998.
10. Malasekera, G. P. Dictionary Pali Proper Names, 2 Volumes. London and Boston: P.T.S.,
Distributed by Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd., 1974.
11. Misva, G. S. P. Development of Buddhist Ethics. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharial Publishers
Pvt. Ltd., 1984.
12. Dharmasiri, Gunapala. Fundamentals of Buddhist Ethics. Singapore: The Buddhist Research
Society, 1986.
13. Jayatilleke, K. N. Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass
Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Volume 29, 2004.
14. Bhattacharyya, N. N. Buddhism in the History of Indian Ideas. New Delhi: Manohar, 1993.
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Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 1998.
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17. Nyānātiloka. Guide Through the Abhidhamma Piţaka. Fourth Edition. Kandy, Sri Lanka:
Buddhist Publication Society, 1983.
18. Wijesekera, O. H. De A. Buddhist and Vedic Studies. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers
Private Limited, 1994.
19. Harvey, Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
2000.
20. Tachibana, S. The Ethics of Buddhism. Colombo: The Bauddha Sāhitya Sabhā, 1943.

21. Kassin, Saul. "Psychology." Microsoft® Encarta® 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft

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