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Buddhism: Crime and Punishment

Buddhist teaching on good, evil and suffering

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Skilful and unskilful rather than good and evil, how good actions are rewarded, why the problem of evil is not the theist's problem, the Dalai Lama's 1989 Nobel speech, and whether religion causes suffering.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why do Buddhists believe people suffer, and why do they not face the problem of evil?

Key term

What makes an action good in Buddhism?

Key term

How are good actions rewarded in Buddhism?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What makes an action good in Buddhism?

    Model answer

    A good or skilful action comes from generosity, loving kindness and wisdom. Buddhists judge actions by the intention behind them and by their effects.

  2. 2

    How are good actions rewarded in Buddhism?

    Model answer

    Good actions bring happiness and good rebirths through kamma. The reward comes naturally, not from a god.

  3. 3

    What makes an action evil in Buddhism?

    Model answer

    An evil or unskilful action comes from greed, hatred or delusion. Evil actions harm others and lead the doer to suffering.

  4. 4

    Why do Buddhists prefer the words skilful and unskilful to good and evil?

    Model answer

    The words skilful and unskilful stress that wrongdoing comes from ignorance, which can be corrected. Buddhism does not see people as evil by nature.

  5. 5

    Why do Buddhists believe people suffer?

    Model answer

    Buddhists believe suffering comes from craving, ignorance and the kamma of past actions. Some suffering also comes from illness, nature and the actions of others.

  6. 6

    Why do Buddhists not face the problem of evil in the way that theists do?

    Model answer

    Buddhism has no all-powerful, loving creator who allows suffering. Suffering is explained by natural causes and kamma instead.

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