Kyung-yim Kwon: Buddhist Ideals and Practice for Ageing Welfare

In this article, Buddhist S^tra of Filial Piety is introduced. The s^tra explains the manner in which we can repay our parents ’ loving kindness, as well as the difficulty in doing this. Generally speaking, modern welfare systems are concerned primarily with provision of services to ensure physical well-being. Buddhist welfare, on the other hand, addresses welfare of the mind as well as satisfaction of physical desires. Traditionally, concept of filial piety was Confucian value. But its pivotal point is bound to one’s own family. Historically Buddhists have accepted and re-interpreted the concept of filial piety with their own world-view in East Asia. The Buddhist approach is to recognize the nature of the human condition which is subject to karmic and social problems. Therefore, Buddhism emphasizes practice of filial piety towards all people beyond the limit of family. Hence the s^tra may well be evaluated as a model which shows dialogue an