Abstract:
International Humanitarian Law and Theravada Buddhism are two different disciplines.
While International Humanitarian Law tends to protect humanity during an armed conflict,
Theravada Buddhism seeks to attain the supreme bliss of ‘Nirvāna’ in order to make an end
to the suffering throughout the long way of ‘Samsāra’. As a religious philosophy, Buddhism
acknowledges that unskillfulness (akusala) based on greed (lōbha), hatred (dōsa) and delusion
(mōha) is the cause of human suffering. On the other hand, International Humanitarian Law
urges belligerents to balance military necessity and humanity by following the principles of
Distinction, Proportionality, and Precaution, aiming to reduce suffering on the battlefield.
Theravada Buddhist philosophy always emphasizes that the elimination of suffering is not a
collective effort but an individual effort. Therefore, each individual is responsible for their own
self-spiritual liberation. However, International Humanitarian Law addresses...
