Buddhist Perspective on Conflict-Resolution

Abstract

1. Introduction
What is Conflict? “Conflict” comes from the Latin language “Confligere” which connotes fighting, warfare, incompatibility and opposition. Conflict is used to describe both people and groups who have beliefs, attitudes, needs and benefits that are absolutely different, so that they debate, dispute, and even kill each other.
In Pāli literature, various terms such as kalaha (quarrel, dispute, fight), vivāda (dispute, quarrel, contention), virodha (obstruction, hindrance, opposition, enmity), viggaha (dispute, quarrel), ghattana (striking, insulting), yuddha (war, battle, fight), etc., are used by the Buddha to indicate existing conflict and also signify various types of conflict.
According to the US Military Dictionary, “Conflict is an armed struggle or clash between organized parties within a nation, or between nations in order to achieve limited political or military objectives. Although regular forces are often involved, irregular forces frequently predominate. Conflict often is protracted, confined to a restricted geographic area, and constrained in weaponry and level of violence. Within this state, military power in response to threats may be exercised in an indirect manner, while supportive of other instruments of national power. Limited objectives may be achieved by the short, focused, and direct application of force.”
In psychological terms, conflict is a psychic struggle, often unconscious, resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, desires, tendencies wishes, or demands. It refers to the existence of that clash. In political terms, “conflict” can refer to wars, revolutions or other struggles, which may involve the use of force as in the term “armed conflict”.

1. Introduction   

            What is Conflict? “Conflict” comes from the Latin language “Confligere” which connotes fighting, warfare, incompatibility and opposition. Conflict is used to describe both people and groups who have beliefs, attitudes, needs and benefits that are absolutely different, so that they debate, dispute, and even kill each other.[i]

            In Pāli literature, various terms such as kalaha (quarrel, dispute, fight), vivāda (dispute, quarrel, contention), virodha (obstruction, hindrance, opposition, enmity), viggaha (dispute, quarrel), ghattana (striking, insulting), yuddha (war, battle, fight), etc., are used by the Buddha to indicate existing conflict and also signify various types of conflict.

            According to the US Military Dictionary, “Conflict is an armed struggle or clash between organized parties within a nation, or between nations in order to achieve limited political or military objectives. Although regular forces are often involved, irregular forces frequently predominate. Conflict often is protracted, confined to a restricted geographic area, and constrained in weaponry and level of violence. Within this state, military power in response to threats may be exercised in an indirect manner, while supportive of other instruments of national power. Limited objectives may be achieved by the short, focused, and direct application of force.”[ii]

            In psychological terms, conflict is a psychic struggle, often unconscious, resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, desires, tendencies wishes, or demands. It refers to the existence of that clash. In political terms, “conflict” can refer to wars, revolutions or other struggles, which may involve the use of force as in the term “armed conflict”.

            From the above explanations, we can simply say that conflict is a clash or contest between opposing individuals or parties with opposing or incompatible needs and selfish desires.

            Conflict can assume a variety of forms, such as community conflict, diplomatic conflict, environmental resources conflict, ideological conflict, religious conflict, interpersonal conflict, intrastate conflict (such as civil wars or election campaigns), organizational conflict, workplace conflict, family conflict, etc.

2. Causes of Conflict

[i]R.W.  Mack and John Pease, Sociology and Social Life, (New York: D Van Nostrand Company, 1973), p.  68.

[ii]“The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military.” (Oxford: Oxford University Press, Inc. 2002.)

From the above explanais a clash or contest between opposing individuals or parties with opposing or incompatible needs and selfish desires.
Conflict can assume a variety ofconflict, ideological conflict, religious conflict, interpersonal conflict, intrastate conflict (such as civil wars or election campaigns), organizational conflict, workplace conflict, family conflict, etc.
2. Causes of Conflict