Buddhist Canonical Resources on Buddhism and Human Rights

 

Buddhist Canonical Resources on Buddhism and Human Rights Subject Matter

By Dr. Bhante Nivitigala Sumitta

This canonical foundation provides the textual basis for understanding how Buddhist teachings can support and enrich contemporary human rights discourse while maintaining authenticity to the tradition's core principles.

Pāli Canon (Theravāda Tradition)

Dīgha Nikāya (Long Discourses)

1. DN 5: Kūṭadanta Sutta - The Buddha's teaching on non-violent sacrifice and social welfare
2. DN 16: Mahāparinibbāna Sutta - The Buddha's instructions on governance and social order
3. DN 26: Cakkavatti-Sīhanāda Sutta - The ideal of righteous rulership and social justice
4. DN 31: Siṅgālovāda Sutta - Social ethics and duties in human relationships

Majjhima Nikāya (Middle Length Discourses)

5. MN 21: Kakacūpama Sutta - On patience, non-retaliation, and loving-kindness
6. MN 86: Aṅgulimāla Sutta - Redemption, rehabilitation, and the right to life
7. MN 129: Bālapaṇḍita Sutta - Karma, moral responsibility, and human dignity

Saṃyutta Nikāya (Connected Discourses)

8. SN 3.21: Puṇṇa Sutta - On merit-making and social welfare
9. SN 35.28: Āditta Sutta - The "Fire Sermon" on universal suffering
10. SN 56.11: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - The Four Noble Truths as foundation for ending suffering

Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numerical Discourses)

11. AN 4.56: Dhamma Sutta - Four wheels of Dhamma including social ethics
12. AN 5.41: Ādiya Sutta - Five qualities that cannot be stolen (related to property rights)
13. AN 8.54: Dighajanu (Vyagghapajja)  Sutta - On freedom of speech and truthful communication
14. AN 10.176: Cunda Sutta - Social classes and equality in spiritual attainment

Khuddaka Nikāya (Minor Collection)

15. Sutta Nipāta 1.6: Parabhava Sutta - Twelve causes of downfall and social ethics
16. Sutta Nipāta 1.8: Metta Sutta - Loving-kindness toward all beings
17. Sutta Nipāta 2.14: Dhammika Sutta - Lay ethics and social responsibility
18. Dhammapada, Chapter 10 - Violence and non-violence
19. Jātaka 547: Vessantara Jātaka - Generosity and social welfare
20. Therīgāthā - Women's spiritual equality and liberation

Vinaya Piṭaka (Monastic Code)

21. Pārājika Rules - Fundamental ethical principles including non-killing
22. Pācittiya Rules on Speech - Right speech and truthful communication
23. Bhikkhunī Vinaya - Women's ordination and gender equality

Mahāyāna Canonical Sources

Perfection of Wisdom Literature

24. Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras - Wisdom, compassion, and universal liberation
25. Diamond Sūtra (Vajracchedikā) - Non-discrimination and equality
26. Heart Sūtra (Prajñāpāramitāhṛdaya) - Interdependence and emptiness

Lotus Sūtra and Related Texts

27. Saddharmapuṇḍarīka Sūtra (Lotus Sūtra) - Universal Buddha-nature and equality
28. Chapter 12: Devadatta - Gender equality and transformation
29. Chapter 25: Avalokiteśvara - Compassion and protection of beings

Pure Land Texts

30. Larger Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra - Universal salvation and refuge
31. Smaller Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra - Accessibility of liberation for all

Avataṃsaka Literature

32. Avataṃsaka Sūtra (Flower Ornament Sūtra) - Interdependence and universal awakening
33. Gaṇḍavyūha Section - Social engagement and bodhisattva activity

Bodhisattva Ideal Texts

34. Bodhisattvabhūmi - Stages of bodhisattva development and social engagement
35. Śikṣāsamuccaya - Compendium of bodhisattva training and ethics
36. Bodhicaryāvatāra - Entry into the bodhisattva's way of life (though post-canonical, highly influential)

Vinaya and Ethical Codes

Foundational Ethical Texts

37. Pañcaśīla (Five Precepts) - Basic ethical principles protecting life, property, relationships, truth, and mental clarity
38. Aṣṭāṅgika Mārga (Noble Eightfold Path) - Right conduct, speech, and livelihood
39. Daśakuśala (Ten Wholesome Actions) - Extended ethical framework
40. Brahmavihāra Sūtras - Four immeasurables: loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity

Jātaka Tales (Previous Lives of the Buddha)

Stories Relevant to Human Rights

41. Jātaka 316: Sasa Jātaka - Self-sacrifice for others
42. Jātaka 422: Cetiya Jātaka - Religious tolerance and freedom
43. Jātaka 499: Sivi Jātaka - Generosity and protection of beings
44. Jātaka 537: Mahājanaka Jātaka - Just rulership and governance

Early Abhidhamma/Abhidharma Texts

45. Abhidhamma Piṭaka - Psychological analysis of ethical states
46. Abhidharmakośa - Systematic analysis of karma and moral responsibility

Canonical Commentaries and Early Post-Canonical Texts

Important Interpretive Works

47. Atthasālinī - Commentary on Dhammasaṅgaṇī with ethical analysis
48. Visuddhimagga - Path of Purification including social ethics
49. Milindapañha - Questions of King Milinda on ethics and governance

Canonical Passages Specifically Relevant to Human Rights Themes

Right to Life and Non-Violence

• Dhammapada 129-130: "All fear death; all love life..."
• SN 56.47: On the preciousness of human life
• Udāna 5.18: "Hatred is never appeased by hatred..."

Equality and Non-Discrimination

• MN 93: "Birth does not make one a brahmin..."
• SN 22.36: Equality in suffering and liberation
• Jātaka 61: Merit not determined by birth

Freedom of Thought and Religion

• DN 2: Kālāma Sutta - Free inquiry and critical thinking
• MN 47: Investigation of teachings (vīmaṃsā)
• AN 3.66: Criteria for accepting teachings

Social and Economic Justice

• DN 5: Proper distribution of wealth
• AN 4.61: Four kinds of people in wealth distribution
• Jātaka 276: King's duty to the poor

Women's Rights and Gender Equality

• Bhikkhunī Vinaya: Women's ordination rights
• AN 4.56: Four factors supporting women's liberation
• Therīgāthā: Women's spiritual achievements

Political Ethics and Governance

• DN 26: Duties of rulers toward subjects
• Jātaka 541: Ten royal virtues (rājadhamma)
• AN 3.14: Qualities of good governance

Methodological Notes for Using These Sources:

Hermeneutical Considerations:

1. Contextual Reading: Understand historical and cultural context
2. Progressive Interpretation: Apply Buddha's principles to contemporary situations
3. Spirit vs. Letter: Focus on underlying principles rather than literal applications
4. Interdependent Reading: Read texts in relationship to each other

Scholarly Approaches:

1. Historical-Critical Method: Understand original meanings
2. Comparative Analysis: Compare across different Buddhist traditions
3. Contemporary Application: Bridge ancient wisdom with modern human rights discourse
4. Cross-Cultural Dialogue: Engage with other religious and secular traditions