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64 EASTERN HORIZON | BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW BY BENNY LIOW

Stephen E. Harris. Buddhist Ethics and the Bodhisattva Path.
Śāntideva on Virtue and Well-Being. London: Bloomsbury
Academic. 2024. pp254. www.bloomsbury.com

This book, which had its origins in Stephen’s doctoral • True Happiness and Well-Being. Stephen analyzes
dissertation, is an introduction to Buddhist moral Śāntideva’s strong emphasis for Bodhisattvas to
philosophy and virtue theory through a detailed cultivate love and care for all living beings. This is
examination of the teachings of Acharya Śāntideva, the the path to genuine happiness, not just for others
th
8 century Indian monk philosopher regarded by HH but also for one-self. It is only by overcoming our
The Dalai Lama as one of the Nalanda masters. Stephen narrow self-interest, can individuals can achieve a
interprets Śāntideva’s work through a virtue-theoretic deep sense of well-being and true happiness.
lens, emphasizing the cultivation of mental states such
as compassion, patience, and generosity. He argues that This book comprises 7 chapters that provide studies
these virtues are central to human well-being and moral of the bodhisattva virtues of generosity, patience,
development, and that ethical practice is not about self- compassion, and wisdom, illustrating the role each
sacrifice but about aligning personal happiness with the plays in Śāntideva ‘s account of well-being and moral
welfare of others. This perspective challenges common development. The 7 chapters are as follows:
misconceptions about Buddhist ethics, highlighting its
Chapter 1: Selfless Character: Virtue without a Self
psychological and universal dimensions.
Chapter 2: Giving as Abandoning

The Key Themes in this book are as follows: Chapter 3: Patience and the Irrationality of Anger
• The importance of intention for our actions. Chapter 4: Compassion and Desire
Stephen argues that Śāntideva emphasizes the
Chapter 5: Joy
importance of one’s intention in moral actions and
its role in helping us cultivate either a positive or Chapter 6: Wisdom and the Transformation of
negative mental state. Experience
• Virtues and Emptiness. Stephen explains in Chapter 7: Dedication: Until the End of Space and Time
his book that despite the Buddha’s teaching
Stephen’s study of Śāntideva is an invaluable resource
on emptiness (śūnyatā), it does not negate the
for anyone interested in Buddhist ethics, moral
importance of moral actions. It provides the
philosophy, or cross-cultural philosophical dialogue.
ontological basis for ethical engagement by
This book also provides a thoughtful and engaging
emphasizing interdependence and the absence of
introduction to Śāntideva’s teachings, offering readers a
intrinsic nature in all phenomena.
framework for understanding how ancient wisdom can
inform contemporary ethical practice. EH