Karma, Compassion, and Dharma: A Buddhist Perspective on Social Responsibility and Healthcare—A Reflection in Light of Buddhism

Abstract

This essay addresses social responsibility regarding the issue of healthcare from a Buddhist perspective. Traditionally, Buddhism is viewed as a contemplative religion which focuses on a solitary quest for emancipation and spiritual advancement rather than active engagement in the world or a social movement. The question now is how to bring Buddhism into conversation with the current debate on social responsibility and healthcare based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. The discussion of the essay includes Buddhist concepts of karma, dharma, and compassion and the interpretation of these concepts to respond to relevant issues under the debate, particularly in terms of the Western ideas of human rights, equality, and social justice.