Im looking for a book on Buddhist morals

[helpfuldemon]

Preferably on Kindle, but Ill take any suggestions.

[Creation]

Try "The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon".

[LivingLight]

1,759 books are available using the "Buddhist" search term on LibGen

[helpfuldemon]

I see a few sites named libgen, which one are you referring to?

[Maddie]

If I was going to summarize what Buddhist morals are (more or less) in a sentence it would be, if it hurts someone its a problem, if it does not hurt anyone then it is not a problem. 

[Taomeow]

I reckon buddhist morals are like everybody else's:

"Everybody has a plan till they get punched in the mouth." -- Mike Tyson

 

 

   

 

 

[stirling]

The precepts are a good place to start. These are the Soto Zen version of the Bodhisattva vows and precepts:

 

Quote

 

Three Refuges

I take refuge in Buddha

before all beings,
immersing body and mind
deeply in the Way,
awakening true mind.

I take refuge in Dharma

before all beings,
entering deeply the merciful ocean
of Buddha's Way.

I take refuge in Sangha

before all beings,
bringing harmony to everyone,
free from hindrance.

 

Three Pure Precepts

I vow to refrain from all evil.
I vow to make every effort to live in enlightenment.
I vow to live and be lived for the benefit of all beings.

 

Ten Grave Precepts

I vow not to kill.
I vow not to take what is not given.
I vow not to misuse sexuality.
I vow to refrain from false speech.
I vow to refrain from intoxicants.
I vow not to slander.
I vow not to praise self at the expense of others.
I vow not to be avaricious.
I vow not to harbor ill will.
I vow not to disparage the Three Treasures.

 

 

My personal recommendation would be a book from the Vajrayana traditions "Lojong" trainings, the "Seven Point Mind Training":

 

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Path-Awakening-Commentary-Mahayana/dp/0877734208

 

There is also a Westernized version by Norman Fischer, which is also available as an audio book that might interest some readers:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Training-Compassion-Teachings-Practice-Lojong/dp/1611800404/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1677718320&sr=1-1

 

Both are different from a commandment-style list, and are intended to shift one's perspective away from self-cherishing to a more Wisdom (Prajna) based way of relating to the world. Some of the instructions will be shocking and challenging to Western ideas of what is "fair" or how to act, but all instructions are in complete alignment with the principles of the "Noble Eightfold Path", and direct our behavior toward perfected that outward approach to the world.  

 

 

[Maddie]

8 hours ago, Taomeow said:

I reckon buddhist morals are like everybody else's:

"Everybody has a plan till they get punched in the mouth." -- Mike Tyson

 

A sage indeed lol

[Taomeow]

2 minutes ago, Maddie said:

 

A sage indeed lol

 

I'm stoked that it was your post #3,333.  In one version of numerology I know, three (or more) 3s occurring in a row have the meaning/message "get ready for a lesson."  Then if the next thing of this kind you see is 666(or more 6s) it means "you'll have to repeat that lesson."  And if you see 999(or more) -- "you've learned that lesson."   

 

So...  be prepared, the universe might have a lesson is store. 

[doc benway]

A timely post about anger and practice from my teacher that felt like it is appropriate here.