Abstract

The main purpose of this thematic paper was to study the concept of human rights in the Buddhist scriptures and the related principles to promote the human rights.

A result of studying the human rights in Buddhism was found that the concept of the universal, human right started in the eighteenth century to stress the natural right, the concept of natural law, developed until all areas of the world. It was signed in the charter of the United Nations with making the universal declaration of human rights in December 10, 1966. This charter contained 30 regulations, covering the main principles of human rights, civil rights and political rights, the right of economics, societies, culture, the individual duty, society and the state. 

A result of studying the concept of human rights in Buddhism was found that the universal declaration of human rights, compared to teachings in Tipitaka, was related to the recorded Buddhist principles in Tipitaka. These teachings could be brought into the comparison with the concept of universal human rights in the recent societies. It was found that the Buddha's teachings in Tipitaka was conformed to the concept of the universal human rights. If the teaching in Tipitaka did not use the human rights directly, it had the content to give respect to human rights in various aspects such as the right of believing the religion, the right and freedom to represent the opinions, the right in life, equality, fame, and honour of manhood. To propagate the concept of human rights, mixed with the Buddha's teachings helped the Buddhists to be conscious of people's human rights and freedom. This was another way to resolve the conflict and the violation of human rights in the recent time.

A result of studying the Buddhist principles in harmony with the human rights was found that teachings in Theravāda Buddhism and principles of human rights showed the equality of valuable manhood and stressed on freedom in a way that human beings themselves were able to do things. Human beings were kind and forgave the others through the harmonious action among a body, speech, and mind such as five precepts, faith, law of action, and principles of benefits. This action aimed at growing the benefits for the actor in many achieved levels according to his capacity, knowledge, and wisdom. The Buddhist principles to promote the human rights in Theravāda Buddhism were a practical way, generally practiced for the public happiness without separation of races, social positions, language, and religions. They were Eightfold Noble Path, law for laymen, six directions, etc. to deny badness and to promote goodness among people as a human being. The principles in Theravāda Buddhism was to support, promote and develop life of human beings for the achievement of individual, public happiness for ever.   

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