Moral Theory in Santideva's Siksasamuccaya: Cultivating the Fruits of Virtue / Edition 1

by Barbra R. Clayton

Overview

This important text analyzes the moral theory of the seventh century Indian Mahayana master, Santideva, author of the well-known religious poem, the Bodhicaryavatara (Entering the Path of Enlightenment) as well as the significant, but relatively overlooked, Siksasamuccaya (Compendium of Teachings).

With particular focus on the Siksasamuccaya, this book uses original translations and critical analysis in order to answer the question: How would Santideva's ethics be understood in terms of Western moral theory? Santideva's ethical presuppositions and moral reasoning are illuminated by analyzing his key moral terms and comparing them to other Buddhist principles.

By focusing on a neglected Buddhist Sanskrit text by a major Mahayana figure, Barbra R. Clayton helps to redress a significant imbalance in the scholarship on Buddhist ethics, which has - up to now - focused primarily on the ethics of the Pali literature as interpreted in the Theravada tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415346962
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/08/2005
Series:	Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism
Edition description:	ANN
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Barbra R. Clayton received her PhD in Asian Religions from McGill University, Canada. Currently, she is Assistant Professor for Eastern Religions at Mount Allison University, Canada.

Table of Contents

1. Explanation of the Scope and Rationale for the Book, and the Questions to be Addressed 2. Discussion of the Author and his Work. Outline of the Structure of the Siksasamuccaya 3. Description of Santideva's Ethics Using Textual Analysis of the Siksasamuccaya 4. A Meta-Ethical Analysis of the Meanings and Rationale Associated with Key Moral Concepts, viz., Virtuous Conduct, Skillfulness, and Karmic Fruitfulness 5. Assessment of Santideva's Moral Theory and Comparison with Available Scholarship on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist Ethics, and Comparison with Western Moral Theories 6. Response to the Question: Are Buddhist Ethics Homogeneous? Discussion of the Value of Comparative Ethics

Editorial Reviews

'This study, through its de-tailed description of an important Indian Mahayana text, adds necessary nuance to the growing body of literature on Buddhist ethics, and doub-tlessly will remain a useful introduction to Santideva’s ethical thinking for some time to come. '- Journal of Buddhist Ethics, 2008

From the Publisher