Destroying Mara Forever: Buddhist Ethics Essays in Honor of Damien Keown

by John Powers (Editor), Charles S. Prebish (Editor)

A thought-provoking collection of essays on Buddhist ethics by some of the leading thinkers in the field. The reader is provided with engaging explorations of central issues in Buddhist ethics, insightful analyses of the ways Buddhist ethical principles are being applied today in both Asian and Western countries, and groundbreaking proposals about how Buddhist perspectives might inform debates on some of the core ethical issues of the modern world, including consumerism, globalization, environmental problems, war, ethnic conflict, and inter-religious tensions.

The leading figure in identifying the field of Buddhist ethics and articulating some of its core issues is Professor Damien Keown of the University of London. This book brings together a group of eminent scholars who have all been influenced by Keown's work and who are also friends and close colleagues. The result is a wonderful volume for those who are struggling with practical issues of ethical concern. This will be a valuable resource in the study of ethics for years to come.

Genres: Buddhism

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

About the author

John Powers is Professor of Asian Studies in the School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities.

Reviews

[Frank Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I HAVE to say is this: I think this is just about the most stupid and just plain WRONG title one could pick for a book on buddhist ethics. Even Peter Harvey, a contributor to this collection of mostly excellent essays told me he felt the same, but that the editors insisted on this title. Which is strange, because the editors are among the world's foremost buddhist scholars!

It is wrong and stupid because even the buddha did not 'destroy' Mara upon his awakening. In fact, Mara continues to "visit" the buddha throughout his post-awakening life -- right up to within weeks of his death! The point to be emphasized is we don't HAVE to destroy Mara; like the buddha, we simply must awaken to Mara AS Mara and change our relationship to him. It's the point the excellent book by Stephen Batchelor, Living With The Devil makes quire strongly and clearly.

So, that said, this is a mostly wonderful collection of essays about various aspects of buddhist ethics. Some seem more relevant to very specific sub-sets of readers, and others offer a more general readership much to ponder.

I really liked it. Hated the title!