EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) IN BUDDHISM:  THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEDITATION AND MEDIATION AS AN INSIGHT FOR CONTEMPORARY MEDIATORS

Ankit Anand; Ishita Chatterjee; Shamima Parveen; Rajneesh Kumar; Gurminder Kaur

Authors

Ankit Anand School of Law, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (KTR), Tamil Nadu, India
Ishita Chatterjee School of Law, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (KTR), Tamil Nadu, India
Shamima Parveen Saveetha School of Law, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Tamil Nadu, India
Rajneesh Kumar School of Law, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
Gurminder Kaur School of Law, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India

Keywords:

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Buddhism, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Meditation

Abstract

Background: The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process has become popular as a means of resolving disputes beyond the formal judicial system. Modes of dispute resolution grounded in dialogue have a long history in many legal systems and cultures. Among all these traditions, Buddhism provides a holistic model for comprehending and resolving conflict. Drawing from the tenets of compassion (Karuṇā), mindfulness (Sati), non-harming (Ahiṃsā), and non-attachment (Anupādāna), the Buddhist approach transcends procedural justice and responds to the emotional, moral, and psychological aspects of conflict empathetically. In an era marked by escalating geopolitical conflicts, including tensions in the South China Sea, border clashes in South Asia, inter-ethnic conflict zones like the Myanmar area, border issues between India and Pakistan, and transboundary issues linked to water sharing between India and China. The infusion of Buddhist principles into ADR is timely and critical to offer a transformational alternative to adversarial and interest-based models. To address this gap, the study aims to examine the synthesis of Buddhist doctrine and the contemporary ADR framework, focusing on the transformative aspects of meditation in the mediation process. Adopting a qualitative and doctrinal approach, the study analyses Buddhist philosophical texts alongside contemporary ADR literature to explore how meditative practices contribute to emotional regulation, focused attention, empathy, and constructive dialogue. Based on the teachings of right awareness, right speech, and cultivating inner peace, it further examines how mindfulness-informed mediation practices may enhance conflict de-escalation and promote durable, mutually acceptable outcomes in family, workplace, and community disputes.

Involvement to Buddhadhamma: The study reflects a contemplative encounter with the Buddhadhamma, which critically examines whether Buddhist philosophical fundamentals serve as a universal and ethically coherent basis for reconciliation and conflict transformation. At the heart of this study is the Buddhist view of conflict in relation to suffering (Dukkha), its cause in craving (Taṇhā), and its cessation through morality (Sīla), meditation (Samādhi), and wisdom (Paññā). These teachings suggest that struggle originates from a deeper source than external circumstances; It stems from the heart or the mind. The study suggests that the Noble Path serves to address these sources of conflict, in the context of right intention (Sammā-saṅkappa), right speech (Sammāvācā), right action (Sammākammanta), and right mindfulness (Sammā-sati). These principles provide moral guidelines for personal conduct and a framework for resolving conflicts at social, and institutional levels. These components help individuals develop ethical behaviour and self-awareness, which are valuable tools for mediators who aspire to foster constructive communication and emotional transparency during disputes. The study highlights that the Buddhist approach of conflict transformation is more than a method for resolving interpersonal or societal conflicts. It recognises that peace, emotional well-being, and relationships are interconnected.

Conclusions: The study concluded that Buddhism offers a positive foundation for ADR by replacing adversarial competition with compassionate understanding and shared healing. Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into mediation creates an atmosphere in which parties can de-escalate from finger-pointing and hostility to peace-making and mutual resolution. Through the infusion of Buddhist principles, mediators can help disputants to become more settled and enable both parties to find inner peace amidst conflicts, as well as promote socially harmonious relationships within the community. This research supports mediators' use of Buddhist-inspired techniques to cultivate empathetic understanding, ethical discernment, and emotional resilience, which are necessary to achieve more sustainable and substantial conflict resolution.

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