Enlightenment can have a profound impact on one’s behavior, as well as on one’s perception of morality. Enlightened beings may act in ways that are different from or even contrary to the conventional or social norms of morality. They may also have a different understanding of what is right or wrong, good or bad, ethical or unethical.

But how can we judge the moral behavior of enlightened beings? How can we tell if they are acting from a place of wisdom and compassion, or from a place of ignorance and selfishness? How can we apply our own moral standards to their actions, or should we even do so?

The Sources of Morality

Morality is the system of values and principles that guides our behavior and judgments. Morality can have different sources, such as:

• Religion: Morality can be based on the teachings and commandments of a particular religion or faith. Religion can provide a clear and authoritative source of morality, but it can also be dogmatic and intolerant.
• Culture: Morality can be based on the customs and traditions of a particular culture or society. Culture can provide a common and familiar source of morality, but it can also be relative and biased.
• Reason: Morality can be based on the logic and evidence of reason and science. Reason can provide a rational and objective source of morality, but it can also be limited and cold.
• Intuition: Morality can be based on the feelings and insights of intuition and spirituality. Intuition can provide a personal and direct source of morality, but it can also be subjective and vague.

These sources of morality are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary and interdependent. They can influence each other in various ways. They can also vary depending on the context and situation.

The Criteria of Morality

Morality is not a fixed or universal concept, but rather a dynamic and individual one. Morality can have different criteria, such as:

• Consequences: Morality can be judged by the consequences or outcomes of an action. An action is moral if it produces good or beneficial consequences, and immoral if it produces bad or harmful consequences.
• Intentions: Morality can be judged by the intentions or motives behind an action. An action is moral if it is done with good or noble intentions, and immoral if it is done with bad or selfish intentions.
• Duties: Morality can be judged by the duties or obligations that an action fulfills. An action is moral if it respects or honors one’s duties, and immoral if it violates or neglects one’s duties.
• Virtues: Morality can be judged by the virtues or qualities that an action expresses. An action is moral if it reflects or cultivates one’s virtues, and immoral if it contradicts or diminishes one’s virtues.

These criteria of morality are not absolute or definitive, but rather relative and subjective. They can depend on one’s perspective and values. They can also conflict with each other in some cases.

The Challenges of Morality

Morality is not an easy or simple matter, but rather a complex and challenging one. Morality can pose some challenges, such as:

• Ambiguity: Morality can be ambiguous or unclear in some situations. There may not be a clear or obvious distinction between right and wrong, good and bad, ethical and unethical.
• Dilemma: Morality can create dilemmas or conflicts in some situations. There may not be a single or optimal solution that satisfies all the criteria of morality.
• Diversity: Morality can vary across different people, cultures, religions, times, and places. There may not be a universal or agreed-upon standard of morality.
• Evolution: Morality can change over time as one’s awareness and consciousness evolves. There may not be a permanent or stable state of morality.

These challenges of morality are not problems to be solved, but rather opportunities to be explored. They invite us to question our assumptions and beliefs, to expand our perspective and understanding, to develop our character and potential.

The Ethics of Enlightenment

So, how does enlightenment relate to morality? How do enlightened beings behave morally? How do we judge their moral behavior?

Enlightened beings are not bound by any source or criterion of morality. They are not influenced by religion, culture, reason, or intuition. They are not concerned with consequences, intentions, duties, or virtues.

Enlightened beings act from a place of pure awareness and compassion. They act in accordance with their true nature, which is beyond any concept, belief, or emotion. They act in harmony with the flow of life, which is beyond any logic, evidence, or feeling.

Enlightened beings do not act immorally, but they may act amorally. They do not act against morality, but they may act beyond morality. They do not act to harm others, but they may act to help others in ways that are unconventional or unexpected.

We cannot judge the moral behavior of enlightened beings by our own moral standards. We can only observe and learn from their actions, and try to understand their wisdom and compassion. We can also try to emulate their behavior, and aspire to awaken to our own true nature.

Remember, enlightenment is not a moral state, but a spiritual one. It is not a matter of right or wrong, good or bad, ethical or unethical. It is a matter of being and becoming.

So, don’t be confused or troubled by the ethics of enlightenment. Don’t judge them or criticize them. Instead, appreciate them, admire them, and celebrate them.