Most of the main ideas in Buddhism, such as compassion, loving-kindness, giving, not killing, not stealing and so on, are associated with social well-being. Sakyamuni Buddha not only taught us through sutras but also presented himself as a positive example. Nowadays, 2500 years later, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the developer of modern Humanistic Buddhism, and founder of Hsi Lai University, follows the Buddha’s way and had devoted all his life to the activities of social well-being.
This paper is divided into three parts. First, I will quote some Mahayana sutras which illustrate social well-being. Second, I will explore the Humanistic Buddhist perspective on current social issues. Third, I will enumerate the activities developed for social well-being by Fo Guang Shan. I will conclude with a note of respect for all the bodhisattvas who are the truthful followers of the Buddha and enthusiastically promote the spirit of Buddhism worldwide.
目次
Introduction 468 The textual proof of the concept of social well-being 469 The concept of social well-being - altruism and compassion 469 The principle of social well-being - in accordance with all sentient beings 470 The method of social well-being - giving 471 The Humanistic Buddhist Perspective on Current Social Issues 472 Activities in Humanistic Buddhism for creating social well-being 478 Conclusion 479
