BP319- Social Philosophy of Buddhism 3(3-0-6)
The purpose of this course is to highlight the social dimension of Buddhist teaching. The main areas of study will include the Buddhist critique of the Brahmanical social hierarchy, Buddhist teaching on the origin and evolution of society, arises of human species, interpersonal relation, Buddhist perspective of law, justice and punishment. The course will conclude an examination from Buddhist perspective of the contemporary social issues and problems.
Themes to be discussed:
An analytical and evaluative study of the social philosophy of Buddhism will be based on the discourses of the Pāli Canon. While the Buddhist concept of man and its implications will serve as a background to this study, it will focus attention on the following topics:
1. Buddhist critique of the social and religious institutions based on the Brahmanic theory of varnadharma and svadharma.
2. Buddhist view of the origin and evolution of the society.
3. Biological, historical and ethical arguments on the oneness of the human species.
4. Emphasis on man’s superiority as against his supremacy.
5. Ethical criteria of human ends and social ideals.
6. Individual, society and inter-personal relations.
7. dhamma-cariyā and samacariyā.
8. Buddhist observations on economy and polity.
