Open AccessToward a Buddhist Theory of Structural Peace: Lessons from Myanmar in Transition
Author(s) -
Tatsushi Arai
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
peace and conflict studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.116
H-Index - 6
ISSN - 1082-7307
DOI - 10.46743/1082-7307/2015.1272
Subject(s) - buddhism , burmese , consciousness , action (physics) , sociology , epistemology , transition (genetics) , environmental ethics , social psychology , political science , psychology , philosophy , linguistics , physics , theology , quantum mechanics , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
This essay analyzes the result of in-depth interviews that the author conducted with Burmese Buddhist leaders, with a view toward building Buddhist theories of social conflict, reconciliation, and structural peace. Findings include their shared understanding of the deeply spiritual, inner-directed nature of conflict and reconciliation, and their highly divergent, contested understandings of the structural roots of human suffering in today’s globalized and interconnected world. To meet these structural challenges, this essay introduces the concept of structural awareness, which it defines as educated, enlightened consciousness to appreciate and act responsibly on the complex chains of causal relations in which well-intended action can inadvertently generate the suffering of others.