ORIENTAL OR

EASTERN ETHICS
JEFF ANGELO GALING
BLYNE ERENA COMILANG
NELCY JATULAN
 Oriental or Eastern Ethics Eastern Ethics are the ways and ethics from
East and South East Asia. It entails inner values with conern to others as the
foundation of morality which motivates the individual to be ethical.
 
Oriental or eastern ethics has six important sub topics focusing on the
ethical teachings of hinduism, buddhism, taoism, confucianism, zen buddhism
and islam.
 
Hinduism is a religion that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Purists
refer to it more as Sanātana Dharma (the eternal path/law) rather than a
religion, as it is believed to be a virtuous way of life. It is the oldest practised
religion in the world and has the third largest following after Christianity and
Islam
 Oriental or Eastern Ethics Eastern Ethics are the ways and ethics from
East and South East Asia. It entails inner values with concern to others as the
foundation of morality which motivates the individual to be ethical.
 
Oriental or eastern ethics has six important sub topics focusing on the
ethical teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Zen
Buddhism and Islam.
  Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions and originated 2,500 years
ago in India. Buddhists believe that the human life is one of suffering, and that
meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behavior are the ways to
achieve enlightenment, or nirvana
  Ethical teachings in Confucianism is headed by Confucius then continued
by his followers after his death. This focuses on moral transformation of an
individual and society as a solution to the chaos during his time. It was believed
that the character of an individual affects the world.
 
Ethical teachings in Taoism teaches how to live in harmony with the world. It
emphasizes not to force or go against the nature as it may only worsen the
situation. Lao Tzu is the founder of Taoism and his book Tao Te Ching served
as the most important book and guide of Taoism.
Zen Buddhism is a practice of meditation that focuses on the well being of
the mind. It is art of seeing into the nature of one’s own being and it points
away from bondage to freedom. It Zen is a mixture of Buddhism and Taoism
developed in 7th but was not firmly established until the 12th century ChinaThe
main goal of zen is studying oneself. Studying ourselves means penetrating
the interrogation “what’s this?” what is this thing we call ‘being’ the “exist”, this
we call “ego”, body, mind, perception, desire?. Zen practice is not about solving
the problems of ego self, but realizing the sense in which there is no ego self.
 
 
Those who follow and practice the faith of Islam is called a Muslim. Islam
started in mecca, now in saudi arabia, iran, pakistan, turkiye and other part of
the world.Islam or Muslim people are believers of ‘Allah’. They believed that
Muhammad is the last messenger and the greatest prophet sent by God.
Muslims has reverence and observance of the laws of “Quran” which serves as
their guidance for morality
 ETHICAL
TEACHINGS
IN HINDUISM
 INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars,
with roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years.

Hinduism is the third-largest religion behind

Christianity and Islam.

Unlike other major religions like Buddhism,

Islam, and Christianity, it cannot be traced
back to a single founder.
 INTRODUCTION TO HINDUISM

The main symbol of Hinduism is called “Om” (or ‘aum’). It represents

the spirits of all things in the world. The name “Om” represents the
sound in the deepest state of meditation.

Hindus believe that their religion helps you free your soul
from the sadness, disappointments, and mistakes of
everyday life.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02
Sacred Texts of Hindu Major Concepts of
Hinduism

03 04
Goals of Human Life Ethical Teachings
01
Sacred Texts
of Hinduism
 HINDU SACRED TEXTS
Vedic Hinduism Classical Hinduism
1200 BCE- 200 CE 200 CE - Present

Early Vedic Period Later Vedic Period

1200 - 800 BCE 800 BCE – 200 CE

The The Laws

The Vedas Upanishads Bhagavad- of Manu
Gita
 HINDU SACRED TEXTS
The Vedas (1200 – 800 BCE)
 literally means “Knowledge inside sacred writing”.
 Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, and is structured in four
different collections: containing hymns, poems,
prayers, and religious instruction.
 HINDU SACRED TEXTS
The Upanishad (800 BCE- 200 CE)
 are the philosophical- religious commentaries on the Vedas
 also known as Sanatan Dharma which means “Eternal
Order” or “Eternal Path” which develop and explain
fundamental tenets of the religion.
 interpreted to mean “secret teaching” or “revealing
underlying truth”.
 HINDU SACRED TEXTS
The Bhagavad- Gita (200 CE- Present)
 famous spiritual text of the teachings of
Lord Krishna
 the name comes from the Sanskrit for
“Song of God”
 It was likely composed in the 1st or Krishna = an avatar of the
2nd century CE and is commonly God, Vishnu
referred to as the Gita.
 HINDU SACRED TEXTS
The Laws of Manu (200 CE- Present)
 The Manu-smriti (Sanskrit: “Laws of
Manu” or “The Remembered Tradition
of Manu”)
 Laws and customs concerning the
Hindu religious life Manu = the first man and
lawgiver
02
Major
Concepts
 MAJOR CONCEPTS OF HINDUISM

Samsara (Reincarnation)
 a continuous cycle in which the soul is
reborn over and over again.
 the endless cycle of death and rebirth
 MAJOR CONCEPTS OF HINDUISM

Karma (Actions)
 the system by which one’s past
beneficial actions determine future
beneficial effects, and one’s harmful
actions create future harmful effects.
 MAJOR CONCEPTS OF HINDUISM
Moksha (Liberation)
 release or freedom from the Samsara or
the end of death and rebirth cycle
 Sanskrit word muc (“to free”)
 If you are already released from the
cycle of Samsara, then you attain
Moksha.
 MAJOR CONCEPTS OF HINDUISM

Nirvana (State of Bliss)

 It is considered as the highest goal of
Moksha. The profound peace of mind
that is acquired with the liberation.
 In Hinduism, Nirvana is received in the
afterlife.
 03
Goals of Life in
Hinduism
 GOALS OF HUMAN LIFE

Dharma
 In Hinduism, it means ‘duty’, ‘virtue’, and
‘righteousness’

 To become moral, virtuous, and righteous

person
 GOALS OF HUMAN LIFE

Artha
 Sanskrit: “wealth” or “property”
 Without prosperity and security in society or at
the individual level, both moral life and
sensuality become difficult.
 GOALS OF HUMAN LIFE

Kama
 Sanskrit: “love”, “desire”, “pleasure”
 Hindus aim to achieve pleasure in many ways,
including sporting activities and cultural
interests; it is also derived from sexual desire.
 GOALS OF HUMAN LIFE

Moksha
 Sanskrit: “freedom” or “release”
 The fourth legitimate desire, it is the freedom
from the love and attachment prompted by the
finite view of life.
 04
Ethical
Teachings
The Major
Hindu
Teachings
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS

1. Everything in the universe is interconnected,

sharing the same material and spiritual source.
 In the “Myth of Purusha”, from the Vedas, it is believed that
Everything in the universe is made from the body of a giant
cosmic man-God, “Purusha” (Brahman). So, everything in
the universe derives from the same divine cosmic substance,
and thus is interconnected.
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS

2. The ultimate goal of life is to attain ‘Moksha’.

 ‘Atman’ manifests itself within a body on earth and it rides the
wheel of death and rebirth (Samsara) and it just keeps going through
the cycle until one figure out how to achieve moksha (to be liberated
from reincarnation).
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS
Where does “Atman” go when we attain Moksha?
 When the ‘atman’ experiences ‘moksha’, it returns to the ‘Brahman’ (the
Great Spirit or the supreme being), the creator of the universe and the
source of all men.

 There’s a beautiful saying in the Upanishad that says, “The Atman are
like rivers, and Brahman is like the ocean, so all rivers rise from the
ocean become rivers and only to return to the ocean again.”
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS
How does one attain Moksha?
 According to the Bhagavad-Gita, there are few different ways to attain
Moksha:
1) Dedicating their life to meditation and
other esoteric practices like yoga.
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS
2) Through acts of religious devotion, and

3) Dedicating oneself to their cast duties that

is to be particular duties of your socio-economic
class.
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS

THE CASTE SYSTEM

 In the Hindu tradition, this is the unique division of labor and
according to the Vedas, the caste system is a divine creation from the
body of the man-God, Purusha. It means that it is not just something
made and imposed by the people. Rather, is something that has
existed from the beginning of time.
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS

3. There exists a universal law called “Dharma”, the moral

and natural law that preserves and sustains the cosmos.
 Dharma is a concept of central importance in Hindu religion and
philosophy which embraces every type of righteous conduct,
covering every aspect of life, that is essential for the sustenance and
welfare of the individual, society and creation.
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS
4. In the Laws of Manu, Hindus are encouraged to engage
in the Four Stages of Life.

1. Student
2. Householder
3. Forest Dweller
4. Sannyasin - “World Renouncer”
 MAJOR HINDU TEACHINGS

 In the laws of Manu, Hindus are encouraged to embark on these

stages of life and this way, they get actively engage the earthly
world and then toward the end of their life.

 Members of family should always follow their duty children should

respect and obey their parent wishes, husbands and wives ought to
be loving and respectful advising their families and teaching moral
values.
 ETHICAL TEACHINGS
When can one be moral?
 The very root and core of all moral discipline is mental
purification through refraining from all evil action and
the active practice of virtue.

 Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), and

Brahmacharya (Abstinence) symbolize the three
processes of avoiding sin, sticking to virtue and self-
purification.
 ETHICAL TEACHINGS

 All harm arises out of man’s egoism. The ego

manifests itself as ambition, desire, and lust.

 To eradicate egoism arising out of Deha-

Abhimana (body-idea), think constantly on the
foulness and perishability of the body and the
pains arising out of the sense.
 ETHICAL TEACHINGS

Improper action (thoughtless action without discrimination)-

gives rise to all misery.
 To get freedom from misery, the noble path virtue,
Sadachara, should be followed.
 Rigidly observe truth and purity in your thoughts, speech,
actions, inner motive and general conduct.
“ The mind has to be
carefully trained and the
will should be developed
and strengthened.”
 ETHICAL TEACHINGS
Where does the line of right and wrong lie?
Right and wrong- Dharma and Adharma- are relative terms.
 Right and wrong are always relative to the surrounding
circumstances. What is right in one situation is not right in
another.
 To speak a truth which brings harm to many is merely
untruth.
Rishi Kanada, author of Vaiseshika philosophy, says in the
opening Sutra: “That which elevates you bring you nearer
to God, is right. That which brings you down and takes you
away from God, wrong. That which is done in strict
accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures is right
and that which is done against their injunctions is wrong.”
 
 ETHICAL TEACHINGS

 That which helps you in your spiritual evolution is right, and that
which obstructs and hinders your spiritual evolution is wrong. That
which leads to unity of self is right and that which leads to
separation is wrong.
 By doing wrong actions, you taint your character. By doing virtuous
actions, you develop a noble character.
Staying on the Moral
Path
THE 10 YAMAS – RESTRAINTS OR PROPER
CONDUCT
1. Ahimsa or Non-injury- Practice non-injury, not harming others by
thought, word or deed, even in your dreams.
2. Satya or Truthfulness- Speak only that which is true, kind, helpful,
and necessary.
3. Asteya or Non-stealing- Uphold the virtue of non-stealing, neither
stealing, nor coveting nor failing to repay debt.
4. Brahmacharya or Sexual Purity- Don’t waste the sacred force by
promiscuity in thought, word or deed. Seek holy company.
5. Kshama or Patience- Exercise patience, restraining intolerance with
people and impatience with circumstances.
6. Dhriti or Steadfastness- Foster steadfastness, overcoming non-perseverance, fear,
and indecision. Be firm in your decisions.
7. Daya or Compassion- Practice compassion, conquering cruel and insensitive
feelings towards all beings. Be kind to people, animals, plants and the Earth itself.
8. Arjava or Honesty- Maintaining honesty, renouncing deception and wrong doing.
Act honorably even in hard times. Obey the laws of your nation and locale.
9. Mitahara or Moderate Diet- Be moderate in appetite, neither eating too much nor
consuming too less, eat at regular times, only when hungry, at a moderate pace, in a
disturbed atmosphere or when upset.
10. Saucha or Purity- Uphold the ethic of purity, avoiding impurity in mind, body,
and speech.
 THE 10 NIYAMAS – OBSERVANCES OR
PRACTICES
1. Hri or Modesty- Allow yourself the expression of remorse, being modest and
showing shame for misdeeds.
2. Santosha or Contentment- Live in constant gratitude for your health, your
friends and your belongings.
3. Dana or Charity- Be generous to a fault, giving liberally without thinking of
reward.
4. Astikya or Faith- Cultivate an unshakable faith. Trust in the words of the
masters, the scriptures and traditions.
5. Ishvarapujana or Worship of the Lord- Cultivate devotion through daily worship
and meditation
6. Siddhanta Saravana or Scriptural Listening- Eagerly hear the
scriptures, study the teachings and listen to the wise of your lineage.
7. Mati or Cognition- Strive for knowledge of God, to awaken the light
within.
8. Vrata or Sacred Vows- Embrace religious vows, rules and observances
and never waver in fulfilling them.
9. Japa or Incantation- Chant your holy mantra daily, reciting the sacred
sound, word or phrase given by your guru.
10. Tapas or Austerity- Practice austerity, serious disciplines, penance and
sacrifice. Perform self-denial, giving up cherished possessions, money or
time.
ETHICAL
TEACHINGS
ON
BUDDHISM
 Buddhism, is a religion and philosophy that developed
from the teachings of the Buddha (Sanskrit: “Awakened
One”), a teacher who lived in northern India between
the mid- 6th and mid- 4th centuries BCE.

 Buddhism has played a central role in the spiritual,

cultural, and social life of Asia, and in the beginning of
the 20th century, it spread to the West.
 Buddhism and Hinduism shares different
view or belief of Nirvana.

 Buddhism’s ultimate goal is the

enlightenment.
ETHICS IN BUDDHISM
Ethics has been at the heart of the Buddhist thought. The Buddhist
path aims at liberating oneself and others from suffering.

Suffering is caused by egocentric attachment, egocentric aversion, and

ignorance, which2015
are themselves based on misunderstanding or ignorance
of phenomena, especially the self, as substantial.

The aim of Buddhism is enlightenment which would pave the way to

Nirvana (the perfect state of bliss).

The Dhamma (in Sanskrit – ‘dharma’) of the Buddha that is the truth by the
Buddha is revered by the Buddhists as a source of wisdom and guidance.
 SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA
 The development of the Buddhist teachings can be traced to the
life of its founder, Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.

 By finding the path to Enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama was

led from pain and suffering and rebirth towards path of
Enlightenment and became known as the Buddha or “awakened
one”.

 Siddhartha Gautama lived privileged life which insulated him

from the sufferings of life, sufferings such as sickness, age and
death. But one day, he decided to leave his protected royal life
and live as a homeless holy man.
 THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF BUDDHA
AND THE NIRVANA
 After meditating for a long time under the Bodhi tree, Siddhartha
Gautama awakened to a new vision, the vision of the nature of
human life.
 As the Buddha, or the enlightened, he saw himself and all life as
part of an unending process of change.
 The whole universe is a system of interconnected, inseparable
parts and composed of all varieties of life forever moving from one
form to another.
 The Buddha in Buddhism is believed to have reached the state of
bliss and utter attachment from the physical world called Nirvana.
 THE TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHISM
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
1. The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha)

2. The Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudãya)

3. The Truth of Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha)

4. The Truth of Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga)

 SUFFERING
 The first noble truth is about suffering: birth is suffering, aging is
suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is
displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is
suffering; in briefing; in brief the five aggregates subject to clinging
are suffering.

 Suffering comes in many forms. Three obvious kinds of suffering

correspond to the first three sights the Buddha saw on his first
journey outside the palace: old age, sickness, and death. But
according to the Buddha, the problem of suffering goes much
deeper. There is a cause of suffering.
 THE CAUSE OF SUFFERING
 The second noble truth is the truth of the origin of suffering: it is
this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by
delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for
sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for
extermination.

 The root of all suffering is desire, also called as ‘tanhã’. This

comes from three (3) forms, which he described as the Three
Roots of Evil or Three Poisons. These are three ultimate causes
of suffering: greed and desire, ignorance or delusion, hatred and
destructive urges.
 THE CESSATION OF SUFFERING
 The third noble truth is the truth of the cessation of suffering: it is
the fading away and cessation of the same craving, the giving up
and relinquishing of it, freedom from ‘tanhã’.

 The third noble truth is the possibility of liberation. In this sense,

Buddhism is not pessimistic philosophy or teaching.

 A Buddhist aims to know sense conditions clearly as they are

without becoming enchanted or misled by them.
THE PATH TO THE CESSATIONOF
SUFFERING
 The fourth noble truth is the truth of the way leading to the
cessation of suffering. The final noble truth is the Buddha’s
prescription for the end of suffering. It is about how we can end
our desires.

 The set of principles called the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold

Path is also called the Middle Way. Virtue is in the middle, thus
avoiding the extremes will help to end our sufferings.
THE
EIGHTFOLD
PATH
“Buddha’s practical instructions to reach the end of suffering.”

Right Understanding (Sammã Ditthi)

Right understanding is the understanding of things as they are,
01 and it is the four noble truths that explain things as they really are.
Right understanding therefore is ultimately reduced to the
understanding of the four noble truths. This understanding is the
highest wisdom which sees the Ultimate Reality.

Right Intention (Sammã Sañkappa)

02 A commitment to cultivate the right attitudes. Right intention

denotes the thoughts of selfless renunciation or detachment,
thoughts of love and thoughts of non-violence, which are
extended to all beings.
 Right speech (Sammã Vãcã)
Right speech means abstention (1) from telling lies, (2) from
03 backbiting and slander and talk that may bring about hatred,
enmity, disunity, and disharmony among individuals or groups of
people, (3) from harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, and abusive
language, and (4) from idle, useless, and foolish babble and
gossip
Right Action (Sammã Kammanta)

04 This aims at promoting moral, honorable, and peaceful conduct. It

admonishes us that we should abstain from destroying life, from
stealing, from dishonest dealings, from illegitimate sexual
intercourse, and that we should also help others to lead a
peaceful and honorable life in the right way.
 Right Livelihood (Sammã ãjïva)
It means that one should abstain from making one’s living through
05 a profession that brings harm to others, such as trading in arms
and lethal weapons, intoxicating drinks or poisons, killing animals,
cheating, etc., and should live by a profession which is honorable,
blameless, and innocent of harm to others.

Right effort (Sammã Vãyãma)

06 It is the energetic will (1) to prevent evil and unwholesome states

of mind from arising, and (2) to get rid of such evil and
unwholesome states that have already arisen within a man, and
also (3) to produce, to cause to arise, good, and wholesome
states of mind not yet arisen, and (4) to develop and bring to
perfection the good and wholesome states of mind already
present in a man.
 Right Mindfulness (Sammã Sati)
It is to be diligently aware, mindful, and attentive with regard to (1)
07 the activities of the body (kaya), (2) sensations or feelings
(vedana), (3) the activities of the mind (citta) and (4) ideas,
thoughts, conceptions, and things (dhamma).

Right Concentration (Sammã Samãdhi)

08 The third and last factor of mental discipline is right concentration,

leading to the four stages of Dhyana, generally called ‘trance’ or
‘beguilement’. Developing to train and discipline the mind.
 DASA SILA
According to Dasa Sila, one MUST NOT:
(1) take life
(2) take what is not given;
(3) commit sexual misconduct (for the monk anything
less than chastity and for the lay person any sexual conduct
contrary to proper social norms such as adultery)
(4) engage in false speech
(5) use intoxicants
(6) eat after mid-day
(7) participate in worldly amusements
(8) adorn the body with ornament and use perfume
(9) sleep on high luxurious beds
(10) accept gold and silver
Ethical Teachings in
Confucianism
 Introduction
● Confucius, a latinized term for Master Kong, is a teacher and philosopher.

● Confucius followers compiled his teachings into The Analects, which lay
out Confucius' ethical system although he claims that he is merely a
transmitter, promoting what's essentially ancient Chinese wisdom.

● The teachings of Confucius focuses on the moral conversion of the man

and society as the solution for chaos during his time.

● Confucius employed the term chün tzu, noble person, as a model of his
concept in moral transformation which then shifted into the sage with the
knowledge that all could be a safe through education and self-cultivation
 The Five Classics
● I Ching or Classic of Change or Book of Changes - entails the
acceptance of change and willingness to act appropriately.
● Classic of Poetry or Book of Songs - shows the poetic vision in the belief
that poetry and music convey common feelings and responsiveness.
● Book of Documents or Book of History - compilation of speeches of
major figures and records of events in ancient times embodies the political
vision
● Book of Rites - describes the form, administration, and ceremonial rites of
the Zhou Dynasty
● Spring and Autumn Annals - emphasize the significance of collective
memory
 Five Constant Virtues

● Benevolence - ren or humaneness, suggests the proper and moral relation

between individuals with influence of conscientiousness and reciprocity.
● Righteousness - Yi, the ability to know the right thing to do under
circumstances.
● Propriety - Li, concrete guide to human action.
● Wisdom - Zi, the source of this virtue is the knowledge of right and wrong
including the ability to weigh and consider.
● Fidelity - Xin, being truthful and fulfilling our obligations to others.
 The Xiao

● Means Filial Piety, a virtue of respect for one’s parents and ancestors
through serving and being good to them.

● The Xiao is considered as the starting point of virtue.

 The wu-lun
● Wu-lun or the five basic human relationships.
● Ruler - Minister
● Father - Son
● Husband -Wife
● Elder - Younger
● Friend - Friend
● These relationships were unequal but complementary.
● One side had more power or superior, except the friend - friend, which has to
behave morally with concern for the inferior side who will obey and respect the
superior.
Ethical Teachings in
Taoism

Nelcy Jatulan
 Introduction
● This philosophy that comes from Ancient China around 4th or 5th BCE ,
teaches how to live in harmony with the world.
● Taoism comes from the word “Tao” which has a distinctive metaphysical
meaning. It literally means “the way”.
● Lao Tzu, means “Old Master”, is a chinese ancient philosopher regarded as
the founder of Taoism despite his existence being disputed.
● The Tao Te Ching is the most important book of Taoism containing the
teachings attributed to Lao Tzu.
 Tao and Te

● Tao is nameless and indescribable. Philosophers emphasize that the true

Tao is all-encompassing and that Tao is the ultimate reality.
● Te translates to virtue, inner power, or inner strength. It is the power gained
by attaining Tao.
● Allow the Tao to nourish naturally and one will possess the fullness of Te.
 Yin and Yang

● Yin signifies the passive element

● Yang signifies the active element
● Lao Tzu says “Tao produced the One. The One produced the Two. The Two
produced the Three”
● The Yin and Yang operates together in a never-ending cycle..
 Wu Wei

● Wu means lacking or without

● Wei means intentional or deliberate action
● Wu wei means non action or action without intent
● Wu wei wu means action without action
● Theory of wu wei follows the law of Tao by doing something naturally or with
less effort.
 Three Treasures of Taoism

● Compassion, Kindness, Love - to love others as you love your own

existence
● Moderation, Simplicity, Frugality - by living a simple life we may
experience a deep satisfaction better than material things.
● Humility, Modesty - to avoid injury or premature death
ETHICAL TEACHINGS IN
ZEN BUDDHISM
Definitions:

“Zen” is a Japanese word that translates from

Chinese word “Chan” which also translate from
an Indian word “dhyana”, which all means
“meditation”.
Zen, in its essence is the art of seeing into the
nature of one’s own being and it points away
from bondage to freedom.

-Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, 1934.

Alan Watts (1973) described the mindset of
Zen as “there is never anything but the
present, and if one cannot live there, one
cannot live anywhere”.
 the word “buddha” means ‘awakened one’,
one who has, as it were, awoken from his
spiritual slumber to perceive things as they
really are. Zen people’s goal is to be
perfectly tune to the present moments and
to enjoy it to the fullest.
Zen dialogues are short, sharp, and to
the point. Like Taoism, Zen does not
focus on the accumulation of
knowledge but rather focuses on
staying present in the moment. They sit
in meditation, contemplate seemingly
nonsensical riddles, and indulge in
non- philosophical activities, all with the
aim of achieving a direct insight into the
mysteries of the universe.
 “If you meet the buddha in the road, kill him”

Perhaps what we can make out of this line, is that

we have to kill our ideas, whether it be God,
becoming rich, or eliminating pain, we have to
break free of our conceptual framework.
 Psychoanalyst Carl Jung (1933) described Zen
as an escape from shadows

Shadow is where all of our depressed emotions

and negative traits are stored. “Everyone caries
a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the
individual’s conscious life, the blacker and
denser it is”
 “To study the buddha way is to study the self; to
study the self is to forget the self; to forget the self
is to be actualized by myriad things. When
actualized by myriad things, your body and mind
as well as the body and mind of others drop away.
No trace of realization remains and this no trace
continues endlessly”

-Dogen Zenzi (shobogenzo genjokoan).

The study of the way of Zen is not the study
of an object outside ourselves. Studying
ourselves means penetrating the
interrogation “what’s this?” what is this thing
we call ‘being’ the “exist”, this we call “ego”,
body, mind, perception, desire?”.
What Zen teaches us, is to stop for a
moment, simple meditation allows us to go
deeper into our reality and see things more
clearly.

The point of Zen practice is not to master

Buddhist teachings but to realize your own
true nature.
“When I look inside and see that I am nothing, that’s
wisdom. When I look outside and see that I am
everything, that’s love. Between this two my life flows”

-Agartha
ETHICAL TEACHINGS IN
ISLAM
Its etymological meaning is derived from
“Salam”, which means peace and
surrender in Arabic. It literally means ‘the
perfect peace out of total surrender to
Allah (God).
The Islamic ethics is that if God has given
you the capacity or good fortune to be a
privileged individual in the society, you
have moral responsibility to society
( Aga khan IV).
 Those who follow and practice the faith
of Islam is called a Muslim. Islam is not
synonymous to Muhammedanism. Islam
is also not a synthesis or union of
Judaism and Christianity

Islam started in mecca, now in saudi

arabia, iran, pakistan, turkiye and other
part of the world
 Islam or Muslim people are believers of
‘Allah’. They believed that Muhammad is
the last messenger and the greatest
prophet sent by God. Muslims has
reverence and observance of the laws of
“Quran” which is a holy book of Islam,
similar to the bible of Christianity..
Two main injunctions in Islam

First, are the “minor oughts”that include

abstention from alcohol, pork, and
gambling. It is said that the prophet
Muhammad prohibited these because
these were the very causes of the downfall
of Mecca.
The second injunctions that constitutes the life of the
Muslims are the “five pillars”.
• The first one is the “shahada” The first one
is the “shahada” or the obligation to profess
the faith.
• The second obligation of Muslim people is
the obligation to pray (salah)
• The third pillar is the ‘Zakat’ (means to
cleanse) or the obligation to give alms.
• The fourth pillar is ‘sawn’ or the obligations
to fast.
• The last pillar is ‘hajj’ or the obligation to do
pilgrimage to mecca.
• One of the primary reason of hajj is for the Muslim
pilgrims to undergo the tawaf or the ritual procession
around the cube- shaped temple, Ka’ba that contains the
black stone.
• Based on Muslim tradition, the Ka’ba was built by
prophet Abraham (Ibrahim).
• To Muslims, it was prophet Muhammad who initiated
such holy act. Its ensembles a covenant between God
and his people.
• The black stone is so scared to the Muslims so that they
call it Hajar al-Aswad
Muslims also believe in the six articles of faith.

• “The oneness of God”

• “The angels of God”
• “The divine revelation”
• “the prophets of God”
• “belief the day of the judgement”
• “belief in the divine decree”
Recommendation and analysis

In the world today, where there are; a series of unfortunate events - be it

natural or man-made; wide diversity; inevitable fast-changing of the world,
cultivation of ethics is highly needed. Thus, ethical teachings must be prevalent to
serve as guide and foundation of the society for better understanding, decision-
making, and action of its people to their everyday lives.
Ethical teachings promotes harmonic society. It is known that family is the
fundamental unit of society hence, establishing good relationship within families
will result to a better relationship among the society.
 
According to the Eastern ethical teachings, respect, kindness, wisdom,
honesty, and humaneness are considered vital and constant. In other words these
virtues improves the self, connects the society, and reconciles the world.
 
Recommendation and analysis

Ethical teachings are different in every other religion, places, and people. But, one thing
is common among them. It is all for the sake of goodness and for the moral values of
individuals. Zen Buddhism lacks in physical practice because it only rely on the mind of its
practitioner, but it is abundant in terms of spiritual, and mental aspect. discipline Is
spontaneity, and spontaneity is discipline. Zen is a practice that this generation really need.
We are being overwhelmed with all the voices outside, that We forgot to focus and learn to
see what is inside of us. We need to value our existence rather than being jealous to others.
 
Islam or Muslim people discipline themselves by following injunctions and
commandments. It is visible that they are wholeheartedly engage in the teachings of their
Quran and obeys their practices. Respect and humulity is shown in ethical teachings.
 
Above all, enhancing the internal virtue or moral transformation through education
and practice is the key to ideal world as the character of an individual affects the world.
 
 
References:
Bhatt, H. (n.d.). Ethics of Hinduism. The Hindupedia. Retrieved from
https://www.hindupedia.com/en/Ethics_of_Hinduism
Gabriel, R. (2019, July 25). Purushartha: The 4 aims of human life. Chopra.
Retrieved from https://chopra.com/articles/purushartha-the-4-aims-of-human-life
History.com Editors. (2017, October 6). Hinduism. HISTORY. Retrieved from
https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism
Knappily. (n.d.). Ethics in Hinduism: Do your dharma. Knappily - The Knowledge
App. Retrieved from https://knappily.com/ethics/ethics-in-hinduism-do- your-
dharma-375
Lipner, J. (2019, September 23). British library. The British Library - The British Library.
Retrieved from https://www.bl.uk/sacred-texts/articles/sacred-texts-in-hinduism
Maheshwari Ph. D., V. K. (2011, December 10). Hindu ethics. WordPress.
Retrieved from https://www.vkmaheshwari.com/WP/?p=341

Principles of moral thought and action. (2008). Patheos | Hosting the

Conversation on Faith. Retrieved from
https://www.patheos.com/library/hinduism/ethics-morality-community/principles-of-
moral-thought-and-action

The Vedas | World civilization. (n.d.). Lumen Learning – Simple Book Production.
Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldcivilization
/chapter/the-vedas/

Lopez, D. S., Tucci,. Giuseppe, Nakamura, . Hajime, Kitagawa,. Joseph M.,

Snellgrove,. David Llewelyn and Reynolds,. Frank E. (2023, February 6).
Buddhism. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism
Stanford. (2020). “Confucius”. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/confucius/
 
Chang Wang, Nathan H. Madson, in Inside China's Legal System, (2013)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/confucius#:~:text=Within%20Conf
ucianism%20there%20are%20five,fidelity%20or%20xin%20(%E4%BF%A1
).
 
National Geographic. (2022). “Confucianism”.
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/confucianism/
 
Tsai DF., (2005).The bioethical principles and Confucius’ moral philosophy. Journal
of Medical Ethics. 31:159-163. https://jme.bmj.com/content/31/3/159
 
“Confucian Teaching”.
https://is.cuni.cz/studium/predmety/index.php?do=download&did=161464
&kod=JPM323
 
Philosophy.lander.edu., (2000). “Main Concepts of Confucianism”.
https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/main.html
 
Brookings.edu., (2016). “New Principles: Toward a New Framework of
Chinese Social Ethics ”.
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Chapter-One-16.p
df
 
Asia for Educators, Columbia University. (2002)., Asian Topics on Asia for
Educators || Confucian Teaching.
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/at/conf_teaching/ct02.html

Dienstman A., (2018). These 4 Teachings of Daoism Will Help You Navigate Life.
https://www.goodnet.org/articles/these-4-teachings-daoism-will-help-you-navigate-lif
e
Aguas, J. S. (2020, July 19). Lectures in Ethics: Philosophies in Ethics - Hindu and
Buddhist Ethics [Video Presentation]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNDREh--p5M.
Buddhist ethics. (2018, January 2). Seven Pillars Institute. Retrieved from
https://sevenpillarsinstitute.org/glossary/buddhist-ethics/
Rahula, W. S. (2022, May 11). The noble eightfold path. Tricycle: The Buddhist
Review. Retrieved from https://tricycle.org/magazine/noble-eightfold-path/
Philosophy.lander.edu., (2000). “Main Concepts of Confucianism”.
https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/main.html
 
Brookings.edu., (2016). “New Principles: Toward a New Framework of
Chinese Social Ethics ”.
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Chapter-One-16.p
df
 
Asia for Educators, Columbia University. (2002)., Asian Topics on Asia for
Educators || Confucian Teaching.
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/at/conf_teaching/ct02.html

James, S. P. (2017). undefined. Routledge.

Nationsonline.org., (N.D). Taoism – Chinese Customs and Beliefs.
https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/taoism.htm

usc., (N.D). Taoism. http://www-

scf.usc.edu/~xueyuanw/itp104/project/culture/taoism.html
Lee, Yueh-Ting; Yang, Honggang; and Wang, Min (2009) "Daoist Harmony as a
Chinese Philosophy and Psychology," Peace and Conflict Studies: Vol. 16 : No. 1 ,
Article 5. DOI: 10.46743/1082-7307/2009.1103
 
northampton.edu., (N.D). Some of Lao Tzu's most significant teachings are as
follows:.file:///C:/Users/Nelcy/Downloads/TaoGuide.pdf
 
Aguas, J.S., (2020), Lectures in Ethics: Philosophies in Ethics – Taoist Ethics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3udwjuV_sSA&t=372s
 
Japanese Zen Buddhist philosophy (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy). (n.d.).
Stanford book of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/japanese-zen/
Suzuki, D. (2007). An introduction to Zen Buddhism. Open Road +
Grove/Atlantic.
Watts, A. W. (1967). undefined. Wordsworth, W. (2017). 
https://read.dukeupress.edu/history-of-the-present/
(n.d.). ISLAM. https://islamstudiesofreligiion.weebly.com/
Leaman, O. (2009). Islamic philosophy. Islamic Studies. 
https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780195390155-0060
Thobhani, A. (1993). Islam's quiet revolutionary: The story of Aga Khan IV.
undefined. (2000). Wordsworth Editions.