Comparative Ethics in Hindu and Buddhist Traditions Book
Contents: Preface to the second edition. 1. Method in comparative ethics: synopsis of a Hindu mystical tradition; a systematic, introductory glossary to external structures and terms in Hindu morality. 2. Ethics in the Rigveda. 3. Ethics in the Upanishads. 4. Ethics in the laws of Manu. 5. Ethics in the Ramayana. 6. Ethics in the Bhagavad Gita. 7. Ethics in other popular classics, poetry and drama. 8. Ethics in the philosophers and reformers: Sankara and Gandhi as types. 9. Summary of the pluralism in Hindu ethics; epilogue on ethical relativism and motivation in comparative ethical judgements. 10. An introduction to ethical thought in Mahayana Buddhist texts. Appendices: 1. Critical textual matters: a. The Ramayana. b. The Mahabharata. 2. Diagram of topical parallels selected bibliography. Index.
"This exploratory volume in the new field of comparative ethics serves the diverse goals of groups variously interested in international law and morality, in comparative religious ethical ideals, or simply in cross cultural literature and drama.
Ethically minded persons confirm the age-old premise that human wisdom about cultural and moral growth is not the prerogative of religious, philosophical or other elites. While popular traditions tend to be drowned out by elitist, discriminatory models for just human relationships, they have better upheld the freedom and beauty of diversity.
The author draws moral ideals from primary Hindu sources–popular and formal, literary and scriptural. The same method is applied for Buddhist moral texts. Introducing method in comparative ethics with a synopsis of Hindu mystical tradition, the author discusses in detail ethics in the Rgveda, Upanisads, Laws of Manu, Ramayana, Gita, other popular classics, poetry, drama, philosophers and reformers. After summarizing pluralism in Hindu ethics, the author sketches ethical thought in Mahayana Buddhist texts. The book contains elaborate notes, two appendices, critical textual matter, a diagram of topical parallels, a bibliography, and an index." (jacket)