Journal of Buddhist Ethics

ISSN 1076—9005
Volume 8, 2001

Why the Dalai Lama Should Read Aristotle

Stephen McCarthy
Northern Illinois University

The purpose of this paper is to discover a classical foundation for the establishment of universal human rights in Buddhism. Such a foundation must necessarily overcome the modern barrier imposed by the Asian values rhetoric and its claims that “Western,” Lockean, and essentially private ideas of rights have no place in Asian “family-oriented” culture. To facilitate its purpose, this paper will consider the modern, Lockean understanding of “rights” as the source of much of the Asian values’ argument, and proceed to an examination into the compatibility of a Buddhist understanding of human rights with Aristotle’s understanding of ethics and natural law. If it is possible to discover the source of universal human rights in Aristotle’s writings, as well as discover a compatibility to Buddhist beliefs and practices, then we may ground a case for the idea of human rights existing prior to their modern Lockean origins and accessible to Buddhism.

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ISSN 1076—9005
Volume 8, 2001

Buddhist Contribution to Social Welfare in Australia

Patricia Sherwood
Edith Cowan University

This article outlines the contribution of Buddhist organizations in Australia to education and social welfare. It is argued that from the viewpoint of Buddhist organizations in Australia, they have always been concerned with social welfare and education issues, and this is not a new phenomenon. This is illustrated through examining services delivered by Buddhist organizations in Australia in nine areas: education of adults; education of children; working with the sick and dying in the community; working in hospitals and hospices; working in drug rehabilitation; working with the poor; working in prisons; speaking up for the oppressed; and working for non-human sentient beings. The worldviews of these Buddhist organizations that state social engagement has always been integral to their tradition will be articulated.

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

The Voice of Hope. Edited by Aung San Su Kyi with Alan Clements. New York: Seven Stories Press, 1997, 304 pages, ISBN 1–888363–83–5 (paperback), ISBN 1–888363–50–9 (hardcover), US $14.95 (paperback), US $24.95 (hardcover).

Reviewed by Barbara E. Reed

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path, Volume One. Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua W.C. Cutler, Editor-in-Chief; Guy Newland, Editor Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications, 2000, 434 pages, ISBN 1–5593–9152–9 (paperback), US $29.99.

Reviewed by David Burton

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

Buddhists Talk about Jesus, Christians Talk about the Buddha. Edited By Rita M. Gross and Terry C. Muck. New York: Continuum, 2000, 144 pages, ISBN: 0–8264–1196–7 (paperback), US $14.95.

Reviewed by Eric Reinders

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ISSN 1076—9005
Volume 8, 2001

Pain and its Ending: The Four Noble Truths in the Theravada Buddhist Canon. Edited by Carol S. Anderson. Richmond, Surrey: Curzon Press, 1999, xi + 255 pages, ISBN: 0-7007-1065-5, US $55.00.

Reviewed by L. S. Cousins

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ISSN 1076—9005
Volume 8, 2001

Buddhism in the Sung. Edited By Peter N. Gregory and Daniel A. Getz. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2002.

Reviewed by Michael J. Walsh

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues. By Peter Harvey. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, 478 pages, ISBN: 0-5215-5640-6 (paper): £13.95/$19.95. ISBN: 0-5215-5394-6 (hard): £37.50/$59.95.

Reviewed by Damien Keown

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment by Tsong-kha-pa, Volume One. Translated by the Lamrim Chenmo Translation Committee. Joshua W. C. Cutler, Editor-in-Chief; Guy Newland, Editor. Ithaca: Snow Lion Publications, 2000, 434 pages, ISBN: 1-55939-152-9 (cloth), $29.95.

Reviewed by Daniel Cozort

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

Engaged Buddhism in the West. Edited by Christopher S. Queen. Boston: Wisdom Publishing, 2000, 544 pages, ISBN: 0–8617–1159–9, US $24.95.

Reviewed by Mavis L. Fenn

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

La rencontre du bouddhisme et de l’Occident. By Frédéric Lenoir. Paris: Fayard, 1999, 393 pages, ISBN: 2–213–60103–8 (paper), 135 ff.
Le bouddhisme en France. By Frédéric Lenoir. Paris: Fayard, 1999, 447 pages, ISBN: 2–213–60528–9 (paper), 140 ff.

Reviewed by Lionel Obadia

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 8, 2001

Khmer American: Identity and Moral Education in a Diasporic Community. Edited By Nancy J. Smith-Hefner, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999, xx + 237 pages, ISBN: 0–520–21348–3 (cloth), US $55.00, ISBN: 0–520–21349–1 (paperback), US $19.95.

Reviewed by Douglas M. Padgett

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ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 7, 2000

Socially Engaged Buddhism for the New Millennium: Essays in honor of the Ven. Phra Dhammapitaka (Bhikkhu P. A. Payutto) on his 60th birthday anniversary. Edited By Pipob Udomittipong and Chris Walker. Bangkok: Sathirakoses–Nagapradipa Foundation and Foundation for Children, 2542/1999, 531 pages, ISBN: 974–269–154–2, US$38.00 (paper), US$60.00 (cloth).

Reviewed by Donald K. Swearer

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