Mindfulness and Reverence in Peace Building
Contingent Horizons: The York University Student Journal of Anthropology December 31, 1969 DOI: 10.25071/2292-6739.65 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that traditional environmental security conflict theories and Batesonian purposive-consciousness cannot adequately explain Buddhist peace building in post-genocide Cambodia, and proposes a framework centered on Buddhist mindfulness, legal notions of "standing," and reverence. Contends that conflict arises from a dichotomous world-view and that peace building requires the practice of reverence rather than the erasure of that dichotomy. |
Abstract
This is an exploration of Buddhist mindfulness as a means of conflict resolution and peace building. Drawing on monks’ efforts in post-genocide Cambodia as its case study and inspiration, this essay considers firstly, traditional environmental security conflict theories and secondly, Batesonian purposive-consciousness. Given the limitations of both these approaches in articulating the Khmer case, a theoretical framework for Buddhist mindfulness as peace building is called for. Mindfulness is explored by examining legal notions of “standing” as an alternative mode of theorizing conflict and peace. Reverence and the sacred are explained as key concepts in effective peace building, particularly through the examples of tree-ordinations and peace marches. Given that, at the heart of this enquiry, lies the deeper question of how we can live more peacefully and less violently on this earth, connections are drawn to environmental issues and to anthropology’s nature-culture paradigm. The conclusion is that at the heart of conflict lies a dichotomous world-view, and at the heart of peace building is not the erasure of this dichotomy but, more importantly, the practice of reverence.