Final answer:
The Bhagavad Gita defines "right action" as actions aligned with dharma, which are performed without attachment to results and contribute to achieving moksha, or liberation, in Hinduism. It is similar to Buddhism's Eightfold Path, where Right Action is part of the practice to end suffering, although Buddhism provides a more structured approach to ethics. Both traditions emphasize karma and ethical living as central to their teachings.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Bhagavad Gita, the notion of "right action" is fundamentally tied to the concept of dharma, which refers to the ethical and moral laws that govern the conduct of an individual. Right action is considered necessary for a moral life and is closely linked to the law of karma, which suggests that every action has corresponding effects that impact one's future. The Gita emphasizes performing one's duties with dedication and without attachment to the outcomes, as a means to achieve moksha, the release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara), and thus, liberation of the soul.
The Gita aligns with the broader Hindu philosophical framework, where ahimsa (non-violence) is esteemed as a high virtue, reflecting the importance of actions that avoid causing harm. This principle is also present in Buddhism's Eightfold Path, particularly in Right Action, which calls for conduct that fosters harmlessness and compassion. While both Hinduism and Buddhism endorse the concept of right action as attainable through ethical conduct, Buddhism's approach through the Eightfold Path is more explicitly methodical, offering a step-by-step guide that includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood as aspects of moral discipline.