Buddhism: Way to Conflict to Solution — Lessons from the Araṇavibhaṅgasutta

Abstract

Buddhism basically emphasises human inner practice and growth, since all suffering comes from attachment. However, in reality conflicts are constantly rising — between conservatives and progressives, between the rich and the poor, generational, gender and labour-management conflicts. This paper examines how the Buddha approached conflicts. A new horizon of conflict resolution can be opened only when we see reality as it is (yathābhūta). To discuss a realistic and rational solution to social conflict that the Buddha gave, the paper scrutinises the Araṇavibhaṅgasutta (the analysis of peace, MN 139).