A Study on Morality of Ten Admonitions in Daoism and its Relation to the Attavagga in the Dhammapada

Abstract

Morality is principally bound with human conduct and originally it does not concern any religious perspectives. However, morality or ethical code is introduced by various religious leaders and philosophers with the evolution of society. In every religion and not in Buddhism alone, the first demand that is made of the disciples is adherence to ethical code. It is obvious that some stanzas in the Dhammapada are mainly endowed with moral thinking and it has made a significant moral basis in Buddhism. The fundamental view of Taoist ethics is summed up in poems. Ten admonitions in Daoism are also contained in poems and manifesting to give rise to compassion and practice great virtue. Taoist view on morality expresses the interaction between selfcultivation and meritorious action and prescribes to develop virtuous deeds (xing) and to accumulate merits (gong) for the well being of society. The term of Dao in Daoism is signifying various meanings in Daoist texts and in the context of morality, it defines as universal principle of conduct. It is evident that the ten admonitions are recommended to individuals for self-examination and self-rectification for the stirring of one’s behavior.