Responsibility (Buddhism)

Synonyms

Dhamma; Kusala; Puñña; Sīla; Vinaya

Definition

Any act or state or willing which removes suffering and leads to nirvāṇa is responsibility.

Introduction

In Buddhist system of thought, “responsibility” has an extremely important role to play. Everyone has a responsibility as either a layperson or monk toward oneself, responsibilities toward others including all sentient beings, and responsibilities toward the universe at large which is called dhamma (in Pali and dharma in Sanskrit), an all-inclusive concept. Responsibilities of everyone for the sake of understanding may be divided as moral, social, and metaphysical which emerge from the understanding of the cosmic order of the universe (including the monistic order). There are no deontological facets in Buddhism in the strong sense of the word like an impersonal categorical imperative as Richard E. Gombrich [6] while examining the duty in Buddhist Pali scriptures observed. The only central obligation or duty one could find is...