The Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Bible and Buddhist precepts are quite alike. Both incorporate a sense of right and wrong in accordance to how certain actions affect others. Not every commandment of the Bible line up with a precept, but many do. For example, the concept of murder, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, divisive speech, and covetousness are similar morals that both the Ten Commandments and the Buddhist precepts outline. All these deal with how one treats others, their interactions with others, and/or the affect of a certain action on others. I believe this shows the importance of a society and group and the idea that whatever we do, it has a direct impact on those around us.
The Ten Commandments and Buddhist precepts are very different as well. The Ten Commandments incorporate the idea of devotion to a single deity, more specifically, God. The Buddhist precepts are not this specific, but rather follow the idea that one must be devoted to the precepts, or moral code. In Judaism, and in Christianity, most of the commandments involve a certain devotion to God and by breaking or not following said commandment(s), one is disrespecting God and questioning his authority. The Buddhist precepts are very much focused on following a moral code in order for one to have a successful or short cyclic experience and to avoid placement in the lower realms.
I agree that the ten commandments are split between societal control and making the reader fear and respect god. The Buddhist code is more dedicated to trying to create a proper moral code for the population to follow.
ReplyDeleteNice post. I like what you said about the similarities because, at their roots, these commandments a precepts are the same. The have the same function and end goal. The function to make obvious the moral laws that should be set forth for humanity and their goal is to influence human relationships for the better. My beef, so to speak, is with the differences. I really don't see why it has to be such a big deal that one set moral doctrine answers to one God and another answers to the inner morality of people. For all that it matters, the end results are the same. My must it be such a big deal which God one chooses to follow or whether or not someone believes in one at all? As long as people abide by the goodness in their hearts, the petty details of which religion has the correct God should not even be involved.
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