PGIHS-RC 2018

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https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/4074

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Browsing PGIHS-RC 2018 by Subject "Buddhism"

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    Possible application of buddhist and confucian teachings to promote social wellbeing
    (University of Peradeniya, 2018-04-03) Ven. Arunasiri, Thittagalle
    Determining a body of moral ideals that could be universally adopted with ease by contemporary society and could spread over different geographical regions and take root despite the inherent diversities of their cultures is no easy task and it is indeed problematic. However, it is not impossible to conceptualize in the modern context in which the world has drastically contracted due to technological advancements thanks to modern methods of transportation and communication. They could provide a useful platform to disseminate and discuss universally valid ethical notions. By contrast, however, modern society lacks the awareness with regards this concept but in spite of that the people are willing to enjoy their lives by fulfilling individual needs. In these circumstances self-interest becomes paramount and people always attempt to hoard rather than share choosing to run away from moral values. The current world needs to be persuaded to build an ideal, appreciative society, because it is unique and key to existing in harmony and prosperity with its members. Although there are reliable resources fostering to establish such an ideal concept, comparative studies on Buddhist and Confucius teachings in terms of building social wellbeing are rare. Qualitative method is used to collect and analyse the data from both primary and secondary sources. Both these teachings advocate the building of an ideal society on ethical formations. The establishment of appropriate social relationships is important to achieve that purpose, because man can’t live alone and he is a gregarious being that depends on inter-personal relationships. It is important to fulfill duties and obligations by oneself in order to an ideal appreciative society. The golden rule of building social well-being is quality of human life according to Buddhism and Confucianism. The attempt in this study is to see how far both Buddhist and Confucius teachings could be effective in accomplishing the task of establishing and ideal society for the achievement of social well-being.
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    “The concept of public religion and early buddhism”: insight into buddhist attitude to disengagement of religion from wider society
    (University of Peradeniya, 2018-04-03) Basnayake, D.S.
    The “disengagement” of religion from the wider society is an important theme. If a religion is disengaged from the common people, it marks the absence of “public religion” leading to a “private religion”. Public religion is a religion which has a direct impact on society. The present paper examines the early Buddhist standpoint regarding public religion with a reflection on some of the issues. As a teaching perceived to be focusing more on individual salvation, does Buddhism place private religion over public religion? Also, does Buddhism qualify as a public religion considering the attempts of the Buddha to ensure the betterment of some oppressed social groups? The research intends to address these issues. The research objectives entail an examination of the concept of “public religion”, early Buddhist position on public religion and private religion, and some issues in considering Buddhism as a private or a public religion. This is primarily a literature survey employing the early Buddhist discourses as the primary sources. Apart from them, the modern sociological works and other writings were used to clarify the sociological concepts related to the study. There are several instances in Buddhist discourses which admire individual religiosity over public religious behavior of the ordinary masses. However, religion appears to have played an important role in the public space in the 6ᵗʰ century B.C. India according to some Buddhist discourses. The entering of religion into the public ideology is not unusual even in Buddha’s time. More importantly, the commitment to social well-being is not a deviation from the Buddhist goal. The Buddha did not confine his Dhamma to a community living in monasteries. The Buddha’s advice given to his first missionary group reveals how far the doctrine was expected to be conducive to social benefit. However, if the “social liberation” in Buddhism can be explained in terms of individual salvation, it challenges the idea of public religion. Several issues were found when recognizing Buddhism as a public religion in the 6ᵗʰ century B.C. India, even though the impact of Buddhism on social betterment is of undeniable value. Considering all, it can be said that the commitment of Buddhism for a better society is secondary to its summum bonum and yet it has ingredients which can nourish the “public sphere” by improving justice, liberation and democracy, which all have an appeal to the common masses.