The Buddha’s Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pāli Canon

This volume brings together teachings from the Sutta Piṭaka that illuminate the Buddha’s approach to interpersonal relations, communal organization, social justice, and political responsibility. Bhikkhu Bodhi presents these discourses as a coherent framework in which right understanding guides personal conduct, personal transformation supports harmonious relationships, and ethical communities become the foundation of an equitable society. Although rooted in early Buddhist scripture, the selections address enduring human problems—including anger, divisive speech, factionalism, inequality, violence, and failures of governance—and offer principles applicable beyond specifically Buddhist contexts.