Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (4.7/5)
Genre: Buddhist Philosophy / Social Ethics / Liberation Theology / Sri Lankan Non-Fiction

Review:
The Buddha's Way to Human Liberation offers a refreshingly new reading of early Buddhist discourses from a multidisciplinary perspective, foregrounding the social élan of early Buddhism. Swaris applies core Buddhist teachings – impermanence (anicca), non-self (anatta), and conditioned co-arising (paticca samuppada) – to understand the causes of suffering at both personal and social levels. He argues that suffering is produced not by chance, fate, or gods, but by human action within determinate conditions; therefore, what is produced by humans can be changed by humans. This practical, liberative character of the Buddha's Way helps humans realize they are the architects of their own destinies. Essential reading for socially engaged Buddhists and scholars of Buddhist social thought.

Author Background: Nalin Swaris studied Philosophy and Theology in Bangalore, holds a Master's from the Institute of Social Studies (The Hague), a Doctorandus cum laude in Comparative Religion from Catholic University of Nijmegen, and a PhD cum laude from Utrecht University. Former Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at The College of Social Work De Horst, Netherlands.