Beginnings of Buddhist ethics

By Konrad Meisig

Book Description

In this scholarly exploration, Konrad Meisig unveils a pivotal moment in ancient spiritual thought through his examination of a fundamental Buddhist text. The work centers on a profound sermon where the Buddha challenges traditional Vedic animal sacrifice practices, transforming them into a revolutionary ethical framework that would reshape spiritual understanding.

Meisig presents the first English translation of the Chinese version of this influential teaching, offering readers access to a text that demonstrates Buddhism's radical departure from ritualistic traditions toward moral conduct. The Buddha's reinterpretation introduces a hierarchy of spiritual merit, beginning with charitable giving to monks and progressing through monastery construction, lay conversion, adherence to Buddhist precepts, and ultimately monastic dedication.

This translation provides both the original Chinese characters and Pinyin transcription alongside a comparative analysis with the Pali version. Through detailed textual criticism and literary analysis, Meisig reconstructs the essential core of this ancient teaching, revealing how early Buddhist thought evolved from magical thinking toward ethical principles.

The work illuminates how this single sermon represents a transformative shift in Indian philosophical history, marking the emergence of a value system based on compassion and moral action rather than ceremonial sacrifice. For readers interested in understanding the foundations of Buddhist ethics and the historical development of spiritual thought, this scholarly translation offers valuable insights into how revolutionary ideas take root and flourish within religious traditions.