The main point about moral discipline seems to be that rules by themselves are not enough; it is essential to have some understanding of why they are there and what benefits they bring. The Buddha went to great lengths to explain exactly these sorts of details so people could understand that moral discipline is about reducing negative karma and cultivating positive karma. That is why ethical behaviour is just one of the three elements of the Buddhist path: moral discipline, meditation and wisdom. All three are necessary and they all support one another.

The word for moral discipline in Sanskrit is shila which literally means ‘cooling.’ Ethics are meant to bring peace and ease. They help to cool the fires of the Three Poisons that burn inside us; they bring a sense of relief. “Having knowledge of the precepts is like removing the darkness from the room so that you can see things clearly.”[i]

The Buddhist teachings set out moral guidance to follow yet Buddhism is far from being a moralistic religion, prescribing a set of commandments or laws to which all true Buddhists must adhere. The guidelines are never dogmatic. That is why the Tibetan word for ethics, tsultrim, can be translated as ‘appropriate action.’ In the Mahayana approach, actions are appropriate or inappropriate according to the situation and circumstances, so virtue isn’t simply about following rules but about behaving in harmony with the Dharma on each occasion.

In Buddhism, ethical behaviour depends ultimately on the mind and not on the body, yet the Buddha did give specific advice about which actions are generally harmful and should be avoided. On the basis of this advice, Buddhism has developed various types of ethical guidance that Buddhists do their best to follow. It is important to note, however, that in Buddhism ethical rules are never rigid. It is accepted that everyone will do their best and there is a general atmosphere of moral tolerance.

The ethical disciplines of Buddhism can be divided into two: the guidelines for laypeople and the guidelines for ordained monks and nuns.

[i] Karma Chakme’s Mountain Dharma by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche, vol. 1. p. 151.