Transcending Power and Politics

Abstract

Peace and harmony, like health at the individual level, are essential conditions for collective well-being at the social, national, and international levels. While advances in medical science continually strive to alleviate physical suffering, similar efforts are being taken to sustain political stability and global security through new international institutions and peacekeeping mechanisms. Yet, the challenges of modernity, which are marked by imperialistic ambitions, cultural tensions, and looming civilizational conflicts, reveal the inadequacy of conventional political and militaristic approaches to conflict resolution. History has repeatedly shown that attempts to establish peace through war remain fragile in a world affected by mass migration, erosion of trust, and disproportionate investment in defense.

An alternative approach lies in examining religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions that have sought durable peace through inner transformation. Buddhism, with its emphasis on self-cultivation, compassion, mindfulness, and universal fraternity, provides one of the most profound paradigms for addressing conflict at multiple levels. The Buddha’s teachings and the Buddhist tradition at large emphasize the transformation of the mind, the cultivation of nonviolence, and the realization of interdependence, values that transcend individual differences and foster social harmony.

This paper examines the Buddhist concept of peace and its relevance to contemporary man, ranging from the individual to the global sphere. It argues that Buddhism offers not only an ethical and spiritual foundation for universal peace but also a practical framework for conflict resolution, making it a compelling alternative to political and militaristic paradigms of harmonious living.