The Kosambī (Dispute) Story: A Model for Contemplating Global Conflicts

Abstract

Global conflicts prove the ethical constraints upon power-focused peace and security thinking. Although international relations theory has developed sophisticated explanatory models of conflicts, it has manifestly downplayed the ethical and psychological aspect of these phenomena. This paper explores the resolution of conflicts from an ethical point of view of Buddhism by considering an interpretation of the Dhammapada with regard to the conflict at Kosambī (Dhammapada Verses 1-5). The Kosambī Story is examined as a paradigmatic case illustrating how conflicts can be generated by the root of attachment to views (diṭṭhi-upādāna), lack of restraint (asaṃvara), and ignorance (avijjā). Based upon prominent concepts like “Non-Violence” (Ahiṃsā), “Loving Kindness” (Mettā), “Compassion” (Karuṇā), “Mindfulness” (Sati), “Dependent Origination” (Paṭiccasamuppāda), this research establishes an ethical interpretation concerning the Dhammapada with regard to global conflict situations like Ukraine, Gaza Conflict, Indo-pacific region, Sudan conflict, Rohingya crisis cases, etc., illustrating the actual availability of Buddhist ethics as an interpretation model contemplating global conflicts from an ethical point of view by considering the internal aspects of conflicts as appropriate conditions fulfilling peace.