Buddhism, and Social Change: A Conversation with the 14th Dalai Lama

This symposium documents a unique event where the 14th Dalai Lama spoke on law and Buddhism at SUNY Buffalo Law School. The gathering brought together Buddhist scholars, legal practitioners, and academics to explore intersections between Buddhist philosophy and legal systems. Participants from diverse backgrounds including legal scholars, American religion experts, and Buddhist specialists engaged in discussions about compassion, justice, and social transformation. The symposium addresses how Buddhist principles inform understanding of law, the role of morality in legal systems, and Buddhist perspectives on equality and human rights. Papers explore religious and secular law, the growth of judicial systems in Buddhist societies, universal compassion and legal duty, and the relationship between Buddhism and constitutional governance. The event represents a rare opportunity for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary dialogue on the relationship between religious philosophy and legal structures.

Topics: International Law · Constitutional Law

Keywords: Buddhism · Dalai Lama · religious law · social change · legal philosophy