A Buddhist Charter
This book, A Buddhist Charter, which consists of 136 proposed items, results from the 50th anniversary commemoration of Suan Mokkh on Visākha Pūjā Day of 1982. The Venerable Than Achan Buddhadāsa of Suan Mokkh drafted and presented motions to the Buddhist assembly there so that they would consider them and reach a common agreement which would become a practical guideline for Buddhists in general. The assembly consisted of two committees, one scripture or theory oriented and the other proper social practice oriented. The two committees joined forces in considering and refining the motions until they reached mutual satisfaction. They then declared the motions as a Buddhist charter.
The charter is divided into 10 groups, namely, (a) general; (b) practical principles that should be considered and put to rest; (c) different views that should be eliminated; (d) interpretation of the terms; (e) problems between religions; (f) international problems of the present world; (g) things that deserve to be understood and written down as rules; (h) culture of the present day Buddhists; (i) the ultimate dhammas that everybody should know; (j) miscellaneous problems. It can be seen that this charter covers almost all aspects; and it should be used a guide in tackling problems properly and in accordance with the Buddha-dhamma principle.
The Dhamma Study & Practice Group realizes the importance and indispensability of this Buddhist Charter. Therefore, we have translated it into English and published it together with the Thai version. This is for dual study and dissemination to the whole world. We hope this will help create more correct understanding and right view, which in turn would create peace for the world and happiness for those who abide by the charter.
The translators and the publishers humbly dedicate this work to Venerable Than Achan Buddhadāsa in commemoration of his 84th birthday on May 27, 1990. We also take this opportunity to suggest that the readers try to follow the charter in order to live righteously and to create a righteous society.
(Foreword)
| START READING |