THE CONCEPT OF DESIRABLE JUSTICE ACCORDING TO BUDDHIST DOCTRINES

Abstract

The doctrines or teachings related to justice, which can be studied in various justice dimensions, included the principles of adhipateyya III (dominant influence), agati IV (prejudice), ariyasacca IV (four noble truths), sīla V (precepts), macchariya V (meanness), disā VI (direction), saraṇīyadhamma VI (state of conciliation), ariyamagga VIII (noble path) and akusalakammapatha X (unwholesome course of action). Of these, the ariyasaccaya is the most important because of its coverage on the others. This dhamma explains the nature between the causes and effects in both positive and negative dimensions. It also can be applied to understand the nature of things in the minor and major perspectives. The doctrines regarded to justice are the vinayas or monastic disciplines (including sikhapada and nigahakamma) which represent the understanding of justice of persons and suitability without exploitation and life destruction; but rather giving a change to those who committed in misconduct to accept a mistake and change their behaviors in the right way. This positively influences life adjustment to suit living in the society.

The concept of desirable justice according to Buddhist principles which has three important components: 1) concepts of justice, 2) practices and 3) justice process. The concepts of justice refer to doctrines and disciplines classified as 1) supportive doctrines of justice: adhipateyya III, sīla V, disā VI, saraṇīyadhamma VI and ariyamagga VIII, 2) the dhamma that should be avoided : agati IV and macchariya V, and 3) the principle as the supportive tool of justice is ariyasaccaya IV as its coverage of the others. The method of adhikaranasamatha VII application in the practical process to the justice is nigahakamma which can be used according to suitability and present social conditions because its aim is to make those who committed misconducts to accept a mistake and change their behaviors in the positive way. This provides many ways of practice based on problematic conditions and conflicts