Foundation of Buddhist ethicsAccording to Buddhists, there are two aims:-1. make the life happy – here and afterlife (this happiness applies more to the secular

life aspect)2. end suffering – Emancipation (this is beyond the scope of secular life)If only one strive to achieve these goals, the code of ethics can be accepted as useful.

DeterminismUnder determinism, everything is pre-determined. Thus human behaviour whether good or bad, there is no way it can be evaluated. Accordingly, all actions are pre-determined.

One can maintain good conduct only if he has the power to do so. If his conduct is governed by any external power, man would not be able to act according to his own will. If your actions are pre-determined, you will not be able to work according to your will. Your behaviour is the result of the deterministic power that controls you. If the life ends with the death or rather no existence after the death, thus a code of ethics will become useless. The responsibility of action will come to an end with the death of the person. That is called materialism. According to materialists, one should enjoy his life as much as he could because there will be no existence after the death.

The God-centred teachings limit the value of ethics. Buddhism rejects determinism, materialism and God-centred teachings, but rather giving much significance to the code of ethics. If you do good, you will face the good results. If you do bad you will face the bad results. Kammas (activities of human beings) are strong enough to being the good and bad results. The cula-kammavibhavga and the maha-kammavibhavga sutta of the Majjhima nikaya describe the significance of the human behaviour

1) The Buddha emphasizes in many discourses the significance of a good behaviour. According to Buddhist teachings, good and bad kammas will continue to bring you good and bad results even in the afterlife and sajsara. For example the story of arahants Ven. Moggallana.

2) Maha-sihanada sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya confirms that kammas would bring good or bad results during the life span because the Buddha has seen it through his extra sensory perception. 3) The life span of all beings are unlimited. They would be born again and again due to their kammas. Buddhism accepts rebirth and it is based on kammas.4) Buddhism emphasizes the goals that one could be achieved following the code of ethics:

a. nibbana – the ultimate realityb. happiness in both worlds

These four points strengthen the foundation of Buddhist ethics.