Establishment of Reconciliation by Buddhist Peaceful Means: Studying Dispute between People Who Desire for Setting Up Temple on Public-Interest Land and Government Authorities

Abstract

This article aims to illustrate conflict between people in community and local government authority, in a case of claiming rights over the land in dispute. Conflict arises when the said land was formerly owned by individual and later bought by using fund raised from the community with a purpose of establishment of temple on that land. Then, at the time of land registration, the name of assignee of rights over the land is required for perfection of the land transfer but the temple has not yet been established. The people therefore mistakenly register this land for public interest with their essential misunderstanding that the land can then be transferred to the temple when its establishment is completed. But, in fact, the government authority is empowered to take care of all public-interest lands in order to ensure that there will not be any illegal possession over the said land and, as a result, it cannot be used for setting up temple thereon. By this end, the conflict between people and government authority in relation to the utilization of the said land arises and must be resolved by taking into account both laws and all peaceful management schemes, which require establishment of reconciliation by upholding Buddhist Peaceful Means to ensure sustainable harmony. In this respect, the dispute theory developed in western countries regarding mediation can be framed as one of dispute resolutions and the four-element principles, which consist of (1) truth, (2) justice, (3) mercy and (4) peace, can be integrated into its application to ensure establishment of reconciliation for sustainable peaceful.