Mandala-Building in International Relations As a Paradigm for Peace

The article refers to the introduction of Buddhism, a religion which grew out of Hinduism and spread to China and other parts of eastern Asia, by adopting the values of the term "mandala" as a vehicle for comprehension of international relations. Mandala means circle in Sanskrit, a meaning that itself provides much scope for an improved way of thinking about international relations. The Chinese, being attached to family and material prosperity, at first found Buddhism to be a difficult philosophy to follow despite acceptance of its atheistic nature. It has been noted that Buddhism can serve as the balancer in China, not only of the Middle Kingdom's modernizing self but also of the world with which it interacts.