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Ethics in Humanistic Buddhism--studies on Venerable Taixu and Master Hsing Yun's views on ethics

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Author

Date

2002

Volume

3

Pages

333-351

Abstract

The paper discusses the three striking differences between Buddhism and Chinese tradition. The first challenge Buddhism encountered when it was introduced into China was the concept of filial piety, an indigenous tradition firmly ingrained in Chinese minds. There is no such strong sense of filial piety in Indian culture. The second difference lies in the six relationships Buddhist ethics and five basic human relations outlined by Mencius. The third issue is the equality of all living beings in obtaining the Buddhahood in Buddhist literature while the Chinese follow the Three Cardinal Guides and Five constant Virtues as specified in the ethical code that marked a rigidly stratified society.
Tremendous changes took place in the 20th century. Chinese Buddhists made modifications in order to suit the dazzling development of the era. Taixu raised the issue of Humanistic Buddhism aiming at revitalizing Buddhism in the difficult situation for survival. Taixu tried to integrate the Buddhist principles with the Chinese tradition with emphasis on Buddhist contributions to family, society, state and religion itself, thus pulling Chinese Buddhism back onto earth.

Master Hsing Yun has been the forerunner of Humanistic Buddhism. Basing on the concepts raised by Taixu, he further develops Humanistic Buddhism both in theory and practice. He has raised twenty issues in ethics regarding concrete practice. In the sixth topic, Master Hsing Yun presents his views on loyalty and filiality. Always far-sighted, he illustrates the attitudes of Humanistic Buddhism towards these two concepts. He is fully aware of the importance of both values in managing the state and bringing peace to the world. His expositions highlight the way of Humanistic Buddhism in dealing with a sensitive issue in the history of Chinese Buddhism for more than 1600 years.


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