Abstract

• This paper explores the concept of avoidance as a key strategy for fostering peaceful environments, as outlined in the Sallekha Sutta. The Sallekha Sutta, a significant text in the Pāḷi Canon, offers profound insights into cultivating inner peace and harmonious living. By advising the avoidance of unwholesome traits—such as cruelty, false speech, and ill will—the sutta promotes serenity and harmony in both personal and communal settings. This study examines the sutta’s guidance on replacing negative tendencies with positive actions and attitudes, presenting a practical approach to conflict resolution and overall well-being. The paper aims to demonstrate how adhering to these avoidance principles not only mitigates conflict but also enhances mental tranquility and social cohesion. The expected outcome is to provide practical strategies for creating and sustaining peaceful environments in contemporary contexts, making these ancient teachings relevant to modern life. Through an analysis of the practical applications of the sutta’s teachings, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on integrating Buddhist ethical principles into both personal discipline and community welfare. The research employs descriptive, evaluative, and comparative methods to critically examine the sutta's teachings and assess their applicability in contemporary settings.