Other religions derive their ideas of right and wrong from the commandments of their god or gods. You Buddhists don’t believe in a god, so how do you know what is right and wrong?

QUESTION: Other religions derive their ideas of right and wrong from the commandments of their god or gods. You Buddhists don’t believe in a god, so how do you know what is right and wrong?

ANSWER: Any thoughts, speech or actions that arc rooted in greed, hatred and delusion and thus lead us away from Nirvana are had and any thoughts, speech or actions that are rooted in giving, love and wisdom and thus help clear the way to Nirvana are good. To know what is right and wrong in god-centered religions, all that is needed is to do as you are told. In a human-centered religion like Buddhism, to know what is right and wrong, you have to develop a deep self—awareness and self—understanding. And ethics based on understanding arc always stronger than those that are a response to a command. So to know what is right and wrong, the Buddhist looks at three things — the intention behind the act, the effect the act will have upon oneself and the effect it will have upon others. If the intention is good (rooted in generosity, love and wisdom), if it helps myself (helps inc to be more giving, more loving and wiser and help others (helps them to be more giving, more loving and wiser, then my deeds and actions are wholesome, good and moral. Of course, there are many variations of this. Sometimes, I act with the best of intentions but it may not benefit either myself or others. Sometimes my intentions arc far from good, hut my action helps others nonetheless. Sometimes I act out of good intentions and my acts help me but perhaps cause some distress to others. In such cases, my actions are mixed — a mixture of good and not—so—good. ‘When intentions arc had and the action helps neither myself nor others, such an action is bad. And when my intention is good and my action benefits both myself and others, then the deed is wholly good.