[Buddha-l] Re: Buddhist social deconstruction

[curt]

There is some good stuff in Asoka's Rock Edicts concerning prisoners as 
well as other social and political matters. In Major Edict #5 Asoka 
praises the "officers of the Dhamma" for their work on behalf of 
prisoners - gaining the release of prisoners who have children or are 
aged, and looking after prisoners who are well behaved (see 
http://www.katinkahesselink.net/tibet/asoka1.html). There is also 
mention of treating slaves and servants well, and (in the 12th Rock 
Edict) a fairly strong statement on Religious tolerance.

- Curt

Bernie Simon wrote:
> Since we're on the subject of prison, I recall that Nagarjuna had 
> something to say about the subject in his Letter to a Friend. I find 
> this text valuable because it's one of the few that I know of that 
> speak about the political and social implications of Buddhism. Perhaps 
> some of the list members know of some other texts.
>
> http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~dsantina/friend.htm
>
> Nagarjuna does not neglect even the case of offenders against the law, 
> common criminals.  Even those who deserve punishment because of their 
> ill deeds should be treated with compassion.   Compassion should in 
> fact be generated even towards those who have committed awful crimes.  
> Murderers in particular should be objects of compassion for those who 
> are of a virtuous nature.
>
> Nagarjuna went so far as to concern himself with the treatment of 
> prisoners.  He recommends that the weaker prisoners be freed after a 
> single day or at the most five days of imprisonment.  Indeed, one 
> should never think of imprisoning anyone for life].  In fact, the 
> simple thought of imprisoning someone for life is a cause of breaking 
> the Buddhist layman's Commitment to protect life.
>
> Conditions in the prisons too do not escape Nagarjuna's attention.  He 
> says that as long as prisoners are not freed, they should be made 
> comfortable.  They should be provided with barbers, baths, food, drink 
> and medicine.  Finally, Nagarjuna expresses a concept that only dawned 
> upon western social philosophers at the time of the eighteenth century 
> so called "enlightenment" in Europe.  That is, wrong doers should be 
> punished with the sole wish to reform them, not with the wish to exact 
> revenge or retribution.  Like sons who have gone astray, prisoners 
> should be punished in such a way as to make them once again worthy 
> members of society.
>
> ----
> Bernie Simon / Jinpa Zangpo
>
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