Buddhism, Freedom, and the Actualization of Human Rights

This session explores, from the perspective of Nichiren Buddhism, ways in which the capacity to protect human rights can be encouraged in both individuals and society. Dr. Majied discusses how Buddhist practice enhances psychological and emotional fortitude to advance human rights. Dr. Lamb’s presentation focuses on the nexus between individual spiritual transformation and social and systemic transformation. The session explores Ikeda’s concept of inner universality, a spiritual perspective in which the individual is embedded in a web of relationality, interdependence, and interconnection through which a people’s movement for human rights, activism, and social transformation emerges which is authentically participatory, empathic and ‘woven of shared joy’. The session is moderated by Danny Hall and explores these themes and their application to such pressing world issues.