Buddhist Concept of Conflict Resolution

G.D. Sumanapala

ABSTRACT

Conflicts both internal and external are common characteristics of the modern society wherever it functions. The scholars and the religious leaders are engaged in finding ways and methods to conflict resolution. Buddhism has much to contribute to this most important endeavour. So my aim is to analyze the common psychological basis for all kinds of conflicts and clarify the methods of their resolution with reference to the Pali and Sanskrit sources of Buddhism belonging to both Theravada and Mahayana.

Regarding the psychological basis of conflicts attention has been paid to the origin of concepts based on sense data, feelings and perceptions. The causal order of those psychological procedure will reveal how conflicts both internal and external come into being in the human society.

With reference to the methods of conflict resolution attention is mainly paid to the aspects of mind culture based on the gradual training system of Buddhism related to morality, concentration and wisdom. Passing comments will be made on temporary measures leading to conflict resolution wit reference to discourses and the meditative methods will be clarified as the permanent steps to be taken for that purpose.

BIOGRAPHY

G.D.Sumanapala

Date of birth: 08, June 1951
Nationality: Citizen of Sri Lanka.
Civil Status: Married, with two children
Present Post: Senior Professor of Pali & Chair, Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka - Phone 011 2914492
Office Address: Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
Home Address: No. 52/C/14, Suriyapaluwa, Kadawatha, Sri Lanka. Phone: 011 2970931
E.mail: galman@sltnet.lk

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

B.A. Honours in Pali (Sanskrit as the subsidiary subject), First Class, University of Kelaniya, 1972-1976.
M.A. Title of the thesis - A Critical Edition of Abhidammatthavibh@vin${$k@, University of Kelaniya, 1986-1987.
Royal Pandit Degree in Pali, Sanskrit & Sinhala (awarded Sri Wimalak$rti Prize for Pali & Prakrit), Oriental Studies Society , Dept. of Education, Sri Lanka, 1972.
PhD. Title of the Thesis - A Study on the Conception of Dhamma in the Theravada Abhidhamma, 1998, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
PhD. research student at the Australian National University - 1988- 1989.
Followed three months course in Linguistics, University of Poona, India, 1984.
Associate Professor of Pali & Buddhist Studies - Merit promotion, 1994.
Professor of Pali & Buddhist Studies - Merit promotion, 1998.
Professor of Pali - Chair, 1998.

ACADEMIC AWARDS:

Commonwealth Scholarship awarded by the Indian Government, 1984.
The Australian National University PhD Scholarship, 1998.
Sri Wimalak$rti Prize for Pali & Prakrit, Oriental Studies Society, Ministry of Education, 1972.