Monday, July 23, 2007

Questions on Buddism and Human Rights

I have heard about fivefold path, eightfold path , and tenfold path. Therefore, I want you to explain about:

+ What are the fivefold path, eight fold path, and tenfold path about?

+ What all these fold path is used for and it is classified to whom to practice it?

+ What all these fold path related to human right?

Thanks in advance for your answer to this questions.

3 comments:

Stan Starygin said...

Hi Seka,

I am not aware of the fivefold path in Buddhism -- unless you are referring to the abridged Eightfold Path designed for the laity and known as the Code of Restraint (Ka and Andy, please, correct me if I am wrong here), but I do know that religous denomination have created their own theories of attaining the Ultimate. I believe there are Christians who follow the fivefold doctrine of conception-realization-revelation-destruction-resurrection. These follow the lifestory of Jesus Christ.
The tenfold path is a variation on the theme of the Noble Eightfold Path which Gotama expounds in the Pali Canon and which adds "right knowledge" and "right freedom". These two additional folds were never accepted by Theravada Buddhism, and thus, can only be found in Mahayana Buddhism and other smaller Buddhist denominations such as, for example, Advayavada Buddhism.

The Eightfold Path was generally designed for the Sangha. i.e. Buddhist monks and nuns. It also applies to the laity who consider themselves as followers of the Buddha to a much smaller degree.

As far as the relationship between the Eightfold Path and human rights goes, the arguments advanced in your reading and by me is that the duties created some of the folds of the Eightfold Path and imposed on particular individuals created rights for others who end up on the receiving end of these duties. This is best on the theory that if there is a mandate to give, there has to be a possibility to receive (e.g. all persons have a duty not to kill which creates a right for others not to be killed).

Stan

Prof. Andy said...

I assume by 'Fivefold Path', Seka means the Five Precepts which are the duties of all Buddhsits, both lay and monk. Successfully keeping them results in good kamma and a better rebirth.

Traditionally, the Eightfold Path is only followed by monks - if they complete the Path the result is enlightenment.

Maybe the 'Tenfold Path' refers to the Ten Perfections - the bodhisattva path in Mahayana Buddhism. It begins with dana (generosity) and is mostly very similar to the Eightfold Path.

You could argue that because the Five Precepts are moral codes and are intended for society as a whole, they have a major bearing on the question of rights. If you read my main posts, you'll see that in my opinion, they stress our responsibilities to others, but that I reject the inference that they create rights.

Seka said...

I still want to know that are the creation of five precepts, eightfold path and ten pefectuion related to human right issues or not? and if related then what it for?