Course Outline: BP207 Early Buddhist Ethics, 2010/2011, Semester 1

Basic Data
Program: 
Bachelor of Arts (Buddhist Studies)
Semester: 
First Semester (July 12-November 13, 2010) Academic year 2010/2011
Subject: 
BP207 - Early Buddhist Ethics
Credit / status: 
3 credits / Core Subject
Recommended Texts: 
  • Bhikkhu, Bodhi. Nourishing The Roots:Essays on Buddhist Ethics. BPS (Wheel 259/260)1990.
  • G, Dharmasiri. Fundamentals of Buddhist Ethics. Singapore: Buddhist Research Society, 1986.
  • Hammalawa, Saddhatissa. Buddhist Ethics:The Path to Nibbana. London: Wisdom Publication, 1987.
  • Harvey, Brian Peter. An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, values and issues. Cambridge University Press 2000.
  • Kalupahana, D. Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii 1976.
  • Keown, D. The Nature of Buddhist Ethics. The Macmillan Press 1992.
  • K.N., Jayatilleke. Ethics in Buddhist Perspective. BPS (Wheel 175/6) 1972, 1984.
  • O.H.de A., Wijesekera. Buddhist Ethics. BPS (Wheel 050) 1963, 1977.
  • P.D., Premasiri. Early Buddhist Conception of Ethical Knowledge in Philosophical Analysis: A Buddhist Philosophy and Culture : (Essays in honour of N.A. Jayawickrema) Ed. D.J. Kalupahana & W.G. Weeraratne, Colombo, N.A Jayawickrema Felicitation Volume Committee) 1987.
  • Tachibana, S. The Ethics of Buddhism. Cosmo Publication, New Delhi 1986.
  • Thera, Narada. Every man's Ethics. BPS (Wheel 014)1959,1966,1979,1985.
  • Thera, K. Sri Dhammananda. What Buddhists Believe. Buddhist Mission Society of Malaysia, 1964.
Course Organization: 

This course of lectures is based on the basic doctrinal and ethical concepts presented in the Pali Canon arranged as follows:

  • Introduction
  • Pre-Buddhist Indian Moral Teaching
  • Nature of the Value Judgment
  • Good and bad (Kusala & Akusala/Puñña & Pāpa)
  • Freewill and Responsibility
  • Selfishness and Unselfishness (Egoism & Altruism)
  • Buddhist analytical description of Mana/citta/viññaņa/emotion
  • Motivation
  • The Individual and Society
  • Crime & Punishment
  • Economics / Politics and Moral
  • Perfection of ethics
Course Requirements: 
  • 1. Attendance to lectures 80%
  • 2. Two Assignments
  • 3. Final Examination
Allocation of Marks: 
  • Class participation and conduct 10%
  • Two Assignments 30%
  • Final Examination 60%
Course Objectives: 

Students acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the basic doctrinal and ethical concepts of Early Buddhism.

Grading: 

All tests, assignments and examinations are graded as follows with grade point and numerical marks:

Grade Performance Grade value Percentage Equivalence
A+ Excellent 4.0 90-100
A Almost Excellent 3.75 85-89
A- Fairly Excellent 3.5 80-84
B+ Very Good 3.25 75-79
B Good 3.0 70-74
B- Fairly Good 2.75 65-69
C+ Fair 2.5 60-64
C Satisfactory 2.25 55-59
C- Minimum Satisfactory 2.0 50-54
D+ Fairly Poor 1.5 40-49
D Poor 1.0 30-39
F Fail 0.0 29 or less
I Incomplete
W Withdrawn
WF Withdrawn because of failure
AU Audit