Buddhism and Human Rights

Dear professor Stan and all,

As soon as I have read all 3 chapters thru wrote by Toru Shiotu, Damien Keown and Robert Traer, I have found out that there are certain amount of Buddish concepts are related with present day Human Rights. I would just like to break down one by one what I uderstand from the text and my general knowledges.

Fon instance, by Shiotu has stated taht (all men are created free and equal) from this concept priniciple I can honestly say that this is the Human Rights which is can be also seeen in Cambodia Constitutional Law (Every one equal before law).


I would therefore like to tak about the idea of Buddha-nature. It is meant that Human dignity. It is so cretical to make people aware of that the Buddha nature is not ourselve but all including human and nature.

Therefore, Buddha nature have much in common with natural right concept of people being born free and equal.

In addtion, I would first like to answer right away to the question of author Damien Keown based on my general knowledge and understanding since we are Buddhish relegion. Budda has clearly addressed that (not to steal other properties and not to kill living life). With these 2 concpets, these are contain the concept of Human Rights.

For instance, Buddha adviced not to steal other properties, it is meant that it is the right of property based on constitutional law. If you steal, you committed a crime offen, and consequently you are in prison which is stated in law - no doubt.

The same thing Buddha adviced not to kill. It is meant that you kill someone which law prohibited, you will have the same result in jail. In this concept based on Constitutional law is right to life.

As professs have mention is class, there is duty, there is right and vice versa. As stated in our book on page 71 (hand writing)

Each one of us has a role to pay in sustaning and promoting social justice and orderliness. The Buddha explained every clearly thoese roles as reciprocal duties exiting between parents and children; teacher and pupils, husband and wife, friends and relative .......................................

for me I do understand it was correct, if there is a duty there is right. For example, the teach has a duty to teach his or her students to be good by any means. It a duty perse, there is right inside there. If the teacher don't have right to blame, scold or punish the students, the student may not study hard and consequently the socienty don't have capable or potential Human Resources. So the soceity will not develop at all. It is just one example.

As long as I do know and understand, Buddha have NEVER been forced any one to follow or believe his advices AT ALL. If you think Buddha advice is good do it if not don't follow. It is easy. It is hug and greatly reflect right to chose to believe.

Buddha has also adviced that ( not to destroy any life) it is meant that both Human and Nature are equalllity such as animal and plant. This is precisely affirm that Buddha respect both Human Rights and Natural Rights.

In short, Buddha concepts and advices has plenty of principle related with present day Human Rights as those ALL MEN ARE CREATED FREE AND EQUAL, NOT TO STEAL, NOT TO STEAL AND THERE IS DUTY AND THERE IS RIGHTS.