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With reference to the diagram, discuss the relationship between the THREE aspects significant people and ideas, ethics and significant practices AND demonstrate the way they
contribute to Buddhism as a living religious tradition.

Buddhism is a living religious tradition with over 300 million adherents today, having began 2,500
years ago. [Hartney and Nobel, 2011] The diagram of a living religious tradition, given a stimulus
infers that there is an interrelationship between the different aspects of faith in Buddhism that
contribute to Buddhism as a living religion tradition. These aspects are- significant people and
ideas (represented by Emperor Asoka) , significant practices (represented by the practice of
Pilgrimage) and ethics (represented by the issue of Bioethics). These aspects are what help create
meaning for Buddhist adherents as well as helping to develop their ideas of Prajna (wisdom),
Samadhi (meditation) and Sila (ethics) and therefore developing their overall Karma.

King Asoka was born in 304 BC and is known as one of the most influential figures in Buddhist
history having greatly impacted among the religion. He governed the Mauyrian Empire from the
year 273 until his death in 232 BC. He ascended upon the throne after the death of the previous
Emperor Bindusura. [Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014] The early part of his reign is described as
being incredibly bloodthirsty and horrific, this is particularly shown through the Kalinga War which
Asoka lead a large army to fight in around 265-263. [cs.colostate.edu,2011]After this bloody
victory Asoka visited various surrounding villages and witnessed the destruction he had caused and
was filled with great sorrow and remorse. This realisation is known to be the catalyst for Asokas
conversion to Buddhism. One of the major contributions Asoka made to Buddhism after his
conversion was the spreading of the teachings of the Dharma (ones moral duty in order to achieve
enlightenment), and he greatly impacted the development of Sila through putting in place the policy
known as Ashima which is the policy of non-violence and compassion of all living creatures. Even
wildlife was to be protected and Asoka highly discouraged the unnecessary slaughter of animals.
[cs.colostate.edu,2011]. Evidence of the policy Ashima can be found among the 33 stone carving
pillar monuments erected by Asoka known as the edicts of Asoka. These edicts were erected all
throughout his empire assisting in spreading the early philosophies of Buddhism as well as
commemorating Lord Buddha.[fsmitha.com, 2010]Asoka formalised principles and guidelines for
the daily life and worship of adherents therefore improving adherents Karma . The monuments
Asoka erected helped to continue Buddhism as a living religious tradition while his extensive

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missionary work resulted in the growth of Buddhism from a small regional religion into the
beginnings of a word religion.

Pilgrimage is the spiritual journey that allows Buddhist adherents to develop their Prajna and to
enrich their understanding of Buddhist teachings. At the end of his life the Lord Buddha
recommended that his followers should visit four sacred sights that were connected to his life and
philosophies [buddhanet.net,2008]. These four sights are; Lumbini (The Lord Buddhas Birth
Place), Bodh Gaya (The place where Lord Buddha found enlightenment), Sarnardha (The place
Lord Buddha preached his first sermon) and Kushinagar (The Lord Buddhas death place). It is not
considered obligatory for adherents to visit these sacred sights but it is acknowledged as an
important component of their religious journey [buddhanet.net,2008] . A pilgrim is not to be
falsely regarded as one who travels for the purpose of sightseeing but rather for purification of the
mind. While on a pilgrimage adherents improve their Prajna through enhancing their awareness of
the three jewels as well as their Samadhi as meditation is a large aspect of a pilgrimage. This
improved Prajna is what helps adherents to further develop their understanding of the Lord
Buddhas teachings, endowing them with morality of right thought, right action and right speech
ultimately improving their sense of Sila. Therefore pilgrimage ultimately improves the Karma of
adherents guiding them to living a balanced life under the teachings of the Lord Buddha and can
develop their knowledge on other issues such as bioethics. One of the notable outcomes for the
overall Buddhist community achieved through the act of Pilgrimage is the establishment of
fellowship between adherents from the communal journey to the sacred sights. It gives a sense of
comradeship for the Buddhist community and successfully serves to keep Buddhism a living
tradition. [Hartney and Nobel, 2011]

Buddhism just like several other living religious traditions gives a variety of important teachings
that can be applied an array of bioethical issues. Bioethical issues are dealt with with the general
ethical codes of the religion. Teachings such as the Five Precepts, the Four Nobel Truths, and
Eightfold Path and the concept of Karma are all taken into consideration and are greatly influential
on the Buddhist approach to bioethics .[bbc.co.uk,2009]The ultimate goal of Buddhist adherents is
to break the cycle of samsara (the cycle of birth,death, re-birth) and in order to break this cycle they
must adhere to the teachings mentioned earlier and practice actions that are considered right and

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virtuous that will result in good karma for the individual, helping them towards breaking the cycle
of samsara and reaching nirvana (enlightenment). Buddhist approaches to bioethics are based
around improving ones Karma.

For example the issue of Euthanasia is regarded to being in opposition to Buddhist philosophy
particularly the belief in the sanctity of life (all life is sacred and the killing of any living thing is
discouraged). Buddhists believe that death takes place when one stops breathing through unassisted
means, however advances in medicine has caused the approach towards euthanasia to be
reevaluated, as there is the modern concept of brain death to take into consideration. Ultimately if
an individual still has the ability to produce karmically then euthanasia should be avoided however
if it can be ascertained that the vijnana (life force/consciousness) has left the body then euthanasia is
allowed in order to lessen the individuals suffering. .[bbc.co.uk, 2009]Therefore Buddhists take the
individuals particular case into consideration and the ethical guidelines for particular bioethical
issues vary from case to case.

The issue of abortion is also considered to be in opposition to tradition Buddhist teachings, once
again opposing the sanctity of life. A foetus is considered a form of life and adherents should avoid
the unnecessary killing of any living beings however approaches to this bioethical issue is also case
specific. Due to the Buddhist belief in the avoidance of suffering abortion is considered feasible in
particular cases where there is potential harm to the mother or the mother has been raped. .
[bbc.co.uk, 2009] Taking each specific case into consideration when determining the course of
action in regards to bioethical issues helps to ensure that the best possible karmic outcome is made.
This approach towards bioethics greatly helps to contribute to Buddhism as a living religious
tradition.

The three aspects of Buddhism of significant persons, significant practices and ethics are
undoubtedly linked and important to keeping Buddhism and living religious tradition. King Asoka
enabled the growth of Buddhism to a world religion through commitment to Buddhism and his
spreading of the teachings, giving Prajna to adherents. The practice of pilgrimage enables the
current adherents to develop their Prajna and Samadhi as well as a better understanding of the roots
of Buddhism. Bioethics allows for adherents to improve their Sila. Ultimately all of there aspects

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collectively are what help adherents to improve their overall Karma and guides them towards
enlightenment and is also what keeps Buddhism as a living religious tradition today.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bbc.co.uk,. 'BBC - Religions - Buddhism: Abortion'. N.p., 2009. Web. 11 June 2015.

Bbc.co.uk,. 'BBC - Religions - Buddhism: Euthanasia And Suicide'. N.p., 2009. Web. 10 June 2015.

Buddhanet.net,. 'Buddhist World: Significance Of Buddhist Pilgrimage'. N.p., 2008. Web. 12 June
2015.

Cs.colostate.edu,. 'KING ASHOKA: His Edicts And His Times'. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 June 2015.

Encyclopedia Britannica,. 'Ashoka | Biography - Emperor Of India'. N.p., 2015. Web. 11 June 2015.

Fsmitha.com,. 'The Buddhist Emperor, Ashoka'. N.p., 2015. Web. 10 June 2015.

Hartney, Christopher, and Jonathan Noble. Cambridge Studies Of Religion. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2011. Print.