evil
Rules about what constitutes correct behavior can vary according to a
person’s status in life, such as whether one is an adult or child. Ethics is
often used interchangeably with morals in the West because morality is
a Latin cognate of a Greek root for ethics that covers such notions as
custom, habit, character, and personal disposition.
Buddhism draws a distinction between rules of discipline (vinaya) and
virtues (sīla). Since rules are the correct path of action, they should nec-
essarily be followed, whereas virtues are the foundation of the moral/
ethical life, which allows a virtuous person to develop wisdom. In order
for a person to lead an ethical life, the Buddha established a guideline
summarized by the five precepts: (1) non-violence (ahimsā); (2) non-
stealing; (3) chastity; (4) abstaining from false speech; (5) not using
intoxicants. In order to practice non-violence, the development of loving
kindness (mettā) and compassion (karuÏā) are necessary.
If the foundation of Buddhist ethics originated from the wise guidance
of the Buddha, Islamic ethics are constructed on a threefold belief: Allah,
His judgment, and the necessity of virtuous deeds. Therefore, Islamic
ethics are based on eschatology or the coming Day of Judgment. Until
that day arrives, a Muslim is guided by some general ethical principles:
duty to God who enjoins a person to do what is good and just, modera-
tion, forgiveness, repelling evil with what is better, limited liability –
which means that no one should be obligated beyond one’s capacity – and
awareness that God rewards good and punishes evil. These principles
suggest that there is an ethical relationship between God and humans that
begins with God’s guidance that humans are obliged to accept. In fact,
belief is accepting guidance and choosing the right path. Whether a per-
son chooses the Islamic path or the Buddhist path that being can be
confident that they have selected correctly because the choices reside
with divine guidance or that of an enlightened being. In other words, a
person’s ethical choices originate with an authoritative figure.
Further reading: Harvey (2000); Izutsu (1966)
EVIL
Evil refers to transgressions of religious injunctions and/or being in a
wrongful condition due to an innate flaw, corrupted nature, or original sin.
According to some religious traditions, humans are living in an evil
and degenerate age, or are moving toward an evil age. The kali yuga is the