How does buddha compare law and belief

The Five Precepts The Five Precepts are the Buddhist version of a code of conduct or rules to help people behave in a moral and ethical way. The five precepts are as follows: Precept An example 1. Refrain from taking life Not killing any living being.

For Buddhists, this includes animals, so many Buddhists choose to be vegetarian. Refrain from taking what is not given Not stealing from anyone. Refrain from the misuse of the senses Not having too much sensual pleasure. For example, not looking at people in a lustful way or committing adultery. Refrain from wrong speech Not lying or gossiping about other people.

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Given the five criteria on which the Equality Act affords protection to philosophical beliefs, ethical veganism — or the view that it is morally wrong to produce, use, or benefit from animal-based products — certainly stands to qualify:. The question for the tribunal is whether ethical veganism is a belief — in other words, whether it is a subjective commitment to the truth grounded in facts, evidence, or faith, or whether it is merely an opinion or preference.

As part of this discussion, the tribunal will need to consider what exactly is the distinction between the two. Read more: Should veganism receive the same legal protection as a religion?

These are no doubt difficult philosophical questions. Certainly, the Equality Act of is unclear on the matter saying only:.

This lack of clarity may not matter. A lot of legislation is deliberately left unclear on the basis that it employs terms with which the courts are already familiar, or on the basis that courts are better placed to develop definitions.

So, ethical veganism is a philosophical belief to the extent that it is grounded in the acceptance of the truth of a certain practical principle — namely, the belief that the proposition that it is morally wrong to produce, use, or benefit from animal-based products is true.

A large number of compelling arguments can be given to support this principle — for example that the use of animal products damages the environment. On the other hand, a large number of compelling arguments can be given against this principle — we can also show that humans benefit immensely from the availability of animal products.

But, ethical issues aside, veganism is clearly different to the beliefs of those committed to, say, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism.