The Buddhism and Human Rights Principles

Abstract

              Human rights are the basic principles indicating the values and dignities of humanities that all human beings in society should be equally respected and protected regardless of sex, race, language, religion, or other status. Even though the mentioned concept has been significantly established in the modern world, Buddhism had the foundation of thought in consistence with human rights since the time of the Buddha through teaching Dhamma principles focusing on equality, non-oppression, and peaceful co-existence. The Dhamma principles that reflect the thoughts on human rights include, for example, the Five Precepts as the basic provisions in respecting the rights of individuals in life and property. These Dhamma principles demonstrate that Buddhism does not only focus on spiritual liberation but also organizes an orderliness in social relations that truly respect the rights and dignities of human beings.