Abstract
This chapter will problematize the notion that Buddhism, and in particular “mindfulness” in its traditional uses, has an ethical foundation in the sense that ethics is understood in contemporary Western discourse. It argues that, nevertheless, it fosters a way of being that is profoundly moral. Its argument is grounded in the Anapanasati Sutta, the Buddha’s instructions for meditation for the development of wisdom (prajna) and compassion (karuna). This understanding of wisdom and compassion is situated in Nagarjuna’s philosophical arguments for the sunyata (nonessential, non-reified nature) and pratitya samutpada (dependent co-arising, interconnectedness) of all things and in empathy as an inherent aspect of human nature. These are the grounds of skillful behavior (upaya kasula), the ability to respond effectively to the personal issues and the broader exigencies with which we are faced. We will note the affinities of mindful skillfulness with what Carol Gilligan in her book, In a different voice, has called an Ethic of Care and Responsibility that functions with the communal ego style which is grounded in empathy. Thus moral behavior is grounded in the experience of one’s non-reified nature as an empathic being interconnected with the world.
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Orr, D. (2018). Ethics, Mindfulness, and Skillfulness. In: Stanley, S., Purser, R., Singh, N. (eds) Handbook of Ethical Foundations of Mindfulness. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76538-9_7
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