Human Security and Social Protection in Crisis: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

[2G212] Buddhism and Human Security: A Buddhist Critical Appraisal of Human Security

*Juichiro Tanabe¹ (1. Waseda University )

Keywords:Budhism, Human security

Since 1990s, human security has become a global agenda. This research develops a Buddhist critical appraisal of human security. First, the research examines the compatibility between human security and Buddhism. The compatibility is demonstrated based on the Buddha’s socio-political and economic advices to those in power during his time and modern Buddhist activities represented by Socially Engaged Buddhism. While showing the compatibility, the research also makes a Buddhist critique of the core components of human security – human rights and economy. The critical appraisal of human rights shows the differences of the view of self between the West and Buddhism. While the former stresses individualism, the latter proposes relational self that emphasizes an interdependent human relationship since Buddhism considers the excessive individualism can cause conflict and division between people. Buddhism critiques neoliberal economy and offers holistic human development model that integrates basic material contentment and non-material internal maturity. Securing one’s own human security and caring about others’ based on compassion, wisdom, and management of excessive self-centered view of material profits is a foundation for more humane and sustainable society and globe. This research aims to contribute to the theoretical development of human security based on the critical literature reviews of human security and Buddhist philosophy. Buddhist critical appraisal of human security, by presenting distinct views of self and holistic human development beyond mere material well-being will allow us to expand the purview of how we understand human security. Though this is hypothetical research, where the ultimate end is to offer the compatibility between human security and Buddhism, it seeks to contribute to paving the way for building new approaches to human security apart from those that have been developed in the long run.