Ethics

[PureInsight.org] Ethics is the
discipline relating to right and wrong; it constitutes moral
obligation, moral principles and values, and moral character. Ethics
and morality are synonymous terms, meaning "customs" in their original
Greek and Latin languages. The Greek term "ethics," however, also
implies character, whereas "mores" refers to social customs. Morals
have been the subject of discussion ever since language existed. Some
of the earliest documented treatises on morals date from prehistoric
China, from around 4,000 B.C. There is a distinction to be made between
ethics and morality, though - the former refers to a universal, formal
system of morals and principles, while morals refer to the relative
standard of values of any social group or individual.



Human beings are the most extraordinary species on this planet, the
only life form with a soul, and capable to experience the measure of
their actions in terms of cause and effect. The Sanskrit word for this is Karma, or karmic relationship.
We reap what we sow, or, to put it in street language, "what goes
around comes around." Since our souls are meant to exist forever, our
souls have to live with the consequences of our thoughts and actions
for eternity. There is one exception, though: the souls of those who
are permanently heavy and blackened from too much wrongdoing will
perish forever. The soul, considered a divine being, wants to avoid at
all cost heaping on blemishes and thus assure its infinite existence.
It wants to exist in harmony with all, and show compassion. In present
day terms, that could be viewed as the principles of justice. Martin Luther
had said, " The Arc of the Universe is long, but it bends toward
justice." Since infinity exists, then every action must eventually
return to its source, even though it may take a long time for this to
happen. Having a soul places a being under tremendous responsibilities,
because entering into this prerogative is an attribute called free
will, or freedom of choice. Since all our souls belong to and are one
with the Universal Source, the Creator or Spirit, we must take this
responsibility of free will extremely serious. An individual's actions
have far-reaching consequences for eternity.



We are presently in the middle of the most crucial war between the
forces of good and evil, the outcome of which effects eternity
permanently. Morally upright people are desperately trying to prevail,
while sinister influences are sneakily making inroads into all that has
integrity and ethical. We must not take this battle lightly. Chinese
strategist Sun Zu, in his classic book, The Art of War,
said that the art of war is governed by five constant factors that must
be taken into account in one's deliberation when estimating the
conditions on the battlefield: moral law, heaven, earth, methods and
discipline, and the Commander in Chief. The commander stands for the
virtues of wisdom, sincerity, compassion, benevolence, courage and
discipline. Sun Zu goes on to question which one of the opposing
factions might have greater presence of moral law; who has the
advantages given by the heavens; who is imbued with greater
self-discipline; which side has the most to gain in permanent rewards
and who has the most infinite abilities. He stated depending on the
answers to these considerations he could predict victory. It is clear
to me that the righteous will prevail.



It is a sorry state indeed for those entities that have completely lost
their centuries-old inherited integrity and ethics; who trample on all
that is good and lasting, who scoff at permanence, who scoff at
heaven's supervision, who plummeted so far down they are lower than the
underside of a snake's belly crawling in the dust.



We as Falun Dafa practitioners definitely have the best self-discipline
in this battle of good over evil. We have the most accomplished
"Commander in Chief;" we possess greater moral fortitude than any other
group of human beings in history. We have a clear plan how to proceed
in this battle - we follow our principles as spelled out in the
Universal Law, and in tenets in the book, Zhuan Falun.
We also have the skills to modify our battle plans according to the
circumstances, to assure victory. We possess the patience, know-how and
tolerance to persevere in this battle until the end, because we know
clearly what our infinite rewards will be.