Proceedings of The International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences
The Buddhist Real Concept of Peace in Theory and Up Wards (Paṭisotagāmī) Practice Which Towards on Philosophical Revelation
Rev. Wadigala Samitharathana Thero
In a fast changing world different social institutions and organizations have emerged in order to maintain the well-being or the harmonious existence of human beings and much contribution has been done in the maintenance and the promotion of well-being of humanity. However the modern era with its rapid developments confronted with many challenges such as environmental pollution, serious health issues, population growth and scarcity of food & sheltered specially the direct man-made issues related to the peace and co-existence of humanity. As a result physical, social, mental and spiritual well-being has been greatly affected and damaged. Buddhist teachings emphasize that peace is dependent on the physical, social, mental and spiritual well-being of individuals living up wards in any society. Thus it signifies a state of harmony and friendship, calmness and quietness and also the freedom from war and violence.Hence in the achievement of harmony and peace most significant is the identification and verification of the fundamental issues with impartiality, justice and honesty that lead to the warfare between the nations or countries which is the Buddhist standpoint. In the modern world warfare takes place from many aspects. They have been able to avoid such which is the only fact that humanity can be proud of in this civilized world. However the situations within some countries are not satisfactory especially in some Asian and Middle East countries where there is divesting warfare between the divided groups who have the underhand support by the powerful.If a country has internal issues regarding the human rights violations and the civil war like situations other nations can make the necessary ground for an ideological change from the highest to the lowest which is the Buddhist standpoint. Buddhism vehemently condemns the biased, one-sided, dishonest diplomatic interventions that lead to more violence, social disorder where others take advantages out of such catastrophic situations at the cost of mass scale human lives. It is the Buddhist standpoint that after making a devastation desert, one cannot call it peace because peace signifies while in excitant differences cultural, economic, social, political differences, if no disharmony is found it is peace. Hence essence of harmony and peace is nothing but various kinds of differences. Such lead to the attitudinal change in the people where as their social consciousness becomes widened and deepened. Thus the attitudinal change gradually takes place which is the key factor for lasting peace in the sustainable developmental countries. Thus (a) Respect for morality (b) Attitudinal change (c) Widening of social consciousness (d) Establishment of higher ideals are the key elements found in Buddhist teachings in theory and upwards practice.
Keywords: Attitudinal Chang; Harmony; Ideology; Morality; Social Consciousnesses.