Abstract:
The purpose of this analytical study is two fold, namely, to search for points of view concerning moral judgment in Buddhist philosophy and the philosophy of Bhagavad-Geta, and to compare the teachings of the two systems of philosophy. In this study, it is shown that, owing to the difference in their concepts of metaphysic, moral judgement in the two systems of philosophy differs in details, but their point of view on good-deeds and bad-deeds are similar. In both systems, it is agreed that, spiritual development of man effected by following ethical teachings, as prescribed in religious-texts, is highly valuable. While it is generally agreed that teaching on the right-ways of living and moral judgement are the core for both Buddhism and Hinduism, their concepts of moral judgement, one interest of this study is, therefore, to learn more about moral judgement pertaining to the two systems of philosophy, in order that more in-sights into their teachings may be gained. Both Buddhist philosophy and Bhagavad-Gita philosophy stress on self-control as their supreme teaching. Their common view is that, self-control affects all ones good words and deeds. And also, by self-control, all bad deeds are avoided, or when committed even unintentionally, one whole-heartedly corrects ones own fault. In this context, it is seen that, ethical teachings are highly valuable to man in the sense that by adopting them as ones guiding principles in ones daily-life, peaceful co-existence among man is achieved. The teachings of both systems of philosophy agree that good-doers will obtain good results while bad-doers will obtain bad results, but, on what good or bad deeds are, the teachings agree in some but differ in others. For instance, willful or preconceived killing, which is regarded as sin for all cases in Buddhist philosophy, is not regarded as such if committed dutifully in order to maintain justice or for bhakti in Bhagavad-Gita philosophy. Moreover, on the law of karma, Buddhism teaches that the law exists by itself, independently of any God, but in Bhaghavad-Gita the law is regarded as given by God. Thus, He, who is above the law which affects man in accordance to His wishes, is the source or the originator of the law. Bhagavad-Gitas view holds that everything in this universe including man has its origin in Bhrahman and His divine inspiration. Hence, not only is mans desting dependent on his own deeds, but also on God will. It, therefore, holds true also to moral judgement which is closely associated with God. In conclusion, it is found in the study that, Buddhist and Bhaghavad-Gitas teachings do agree on some common principles, but are widely different in their details.