Seeking an alternative ethic. Buddhist perspectives on human rights

Abstract

This thesis examines different approaches to the conception of “human rights,” and, more broadly, to the protection of human life. Two main questions will be pursued: 1) Are human rights universal? and 2) Can Buddhist approaches and perspectives to the protection of human life complement and strengthen existing human rights doctrine? The universality of human rights is queried by determining whether the concept is compatible with the “test case” of Buddhism, from both textual-philosophical and “living Buddhism” approaches. Three case studies of Engaged Buddhist leaders, namely the Dalai Lama, Tzu Chi’s Zhengyan, and Thich Nhat Hanh, will demonstrate that Engaged Buddhism is compatible with human rights and provides alternative views as regards the protection of human life.