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Therefore there is an urgent need to have dialogue among There are 4 irrevocable principles in the Global Ethic, which
religions to promote understanding, equality, justice, and freedom, are:
and the Global Ethic serves as a common denominator to this Have respect for life;
dialogue. A common denominator is necessary as otherwise no
meaningful dialogue will be possible. Deal honestly and fairly;
Speak and act truthfully; and
What is the Global Ethic?
Respect and love one another.

The term Global Ethic refers to a set of common moral
values and ethical standards which are shared by the different From the Buddhist perspective, these four principles take on the
faiths and cultures on earth. spirit espoused in the first four of the five Buddhist precepts, which
are: abstention from killing, stealing, false speech, and adultery.
It is not a new religion. It is not a substitute for the Such resemblance is of no surprise since the four irrevocable
Torah, the Sermon of the Mount, the Qur’an, the Bhagavagita, principles are fundamental universal human values derived from
the Tripitka or the Analects. It is a minimal basic consensus the Golden Rule, and Buddhism, being human-centred, similarly
relating to binding values, irrevocable standards and moral adopted these values.
attitudes, which can be affirmed by all religions, and which can
also be supported by non-believers of religion.
While affirming the Global Ethic, one should not assume that it
is so well formulated that there would be little problem for people
First proposed by Professor Hans Kung in 1989, it was
adopted in the form of the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic to profess and practice it. There are in fact problems associated
by the Parliament of the World’s Relgions on Sept. 4 1993 with the global ethic, and its teachings.
I would like to elaborate on some of these problems.
The Global Ethical Standards were formulated based on the
Golden Rule, i.e. Do not do to others what you do not wish others
do to you. Buddhists are in total agreement to this rule. The Buddha While the global ethic seems so well formulated that it is difficult
clearly said, “All tremble at the rod. All fear death. Comparing for any sane person to reject it, there are still arguments against it.
others with oneself, one should neither strike nor cause to strike.” For example, while we all agree that no one has the right to kill
(Dhammapada verse 129). others, there are still attempts by powerful parties to justify killing,
wars, and capital punishment. Those who consistently imprison

In fact the Buddhist precepts were formulated, not based on dissidents would justify their acts that they are maintaining public
commandments, revelation or any divine instructions, but based on order and peace. Such selective and biased interpretation would
the principle of reciprocity. eventually render the global ethic meaningless.

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