An Investigative Study of the Conflict Resolution Approaches Included in Dhammapada

Abstract

People of the many countries in the world are involved in internal and external conflicts that are interpersonal and ethnic, economic and social. Therefore, modern scholars have introduced so many conflict resolution theories, such as Human Need theory, Principled Negotiation theory, Community Relation theory, Identity theory, Inter-Cultural Miscommunication theory and Conflict Transformation theory to avoid those conflicts. The Lord Buddha has always paved the way to solve problems that are interpersonal and ethnic economic and social throughout his preaching' In the Dhammapada there are ways and methods which help to resolve conflict for the purpose of benefitting society. Especially the Lord Buddha has composed the stanzas attractively, regarding resolving the conflict which has raised interpersonal conflicts between various people, groups and states. Those methods help to experience happiness, do day-to-day activities with an awakened mind, not be shaken by sadness and be involved in winning and losing. So, we can understand that Dhammapada highlights conflict resolution rather than giving advice. For an example, “Nahi verena verāni-sammantīdha kudācanaṃ Averenacasammanti-esadhammo sanantano” (Yamaka Vagga 5 stanza) ‘Hatred never ceases through hatred in this world, through love (mettā) alone they cease. This is an eternal law.’ Two women avenged themselves in the course of two successive births. In their third birth however, they were compelled to meet the Buddha, who pacified them by preaching to them and advising them not to retaliate. On that occasion Lord Buddha solved that conflict as mediator by using a transformation approach. It is the same as the modern approach called conflict transformation theory. In that way we can find out the conflict resolution approaches in Dhammapada. I specifically try to show that the approaches in Dhammapada are similar to traditional and modern approaches or filled with concepts and theories which can be used for conflict resolution beyond traditional and modern approaches. I examine the Dhammapada to try to adduce optimum treatments and ways to avoid conflicts raised in society and understand primary sources of conflicts. In addition one of the main purposes of this research is to use the Dhammapada to investigate new approaches which help to prevent people from engaging in conflict and suffering.