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Buddhist Wisdom for a Changing World: How Impermanence Can Heal Immigration Tensions
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Immigration Issues and Buddhism
Abstract
Migration is an intrinsic and historically significant aspect of human civilization, mirroring natural phenomena such as the movement of birds, the dispersal of seeds, and the flow of rivers across borders. While migration has long been a driving force behind cultural and economic development, it has become a contentious issue in the contemporary global landscape. Many nations perceive immigration as a threat to national identity, economic stability, and resource distribution. Although the preservation of cultural heritage is a legitimate concern, the ethical ramifications of restrictive immigration policies necessitate a critical and balanced examination. This study explores the applicability of the Buddhist doctrine of Anicca (impermanence) as a philosophical framework for addressing immigration-related challenges. The principle of impermanence highlights the transient and evolving nature of human societies, challenging the sustainability of rigid opposition to migration. By incorporating this perspective, the research advocates for a balanced, ethical approach a “middle path” that reconciles national interests with fundamental human rights while fostering global harmony. Utilizing a combination of theoretical analysis and empirical research, this study critically assesses contemporary immigration policies and underscores the potential repercussions of sustained resistance to migration, including socioeconomic disparities and geopolitical instability. The findings suggest that acknowledging the impermanent nature of social and political structures can facilitate more adaptive, humane, and forward-thinking immigration policies. Although integrating this philosophical framework into national governance presents challenges, historical evidence demonstrates that societies have continually evolved in response to migration. This research underscores the necessity of transcending rigid nationalism in favour of a more inclusive, human-centred paradigm of coexistence. Furthermore, this study provides a foundation for future research on how the principle of impermanence might reshape national security discourses, either by alleviating migration-related anxieties or presenting new policy considerations in managing global migration crises.
How to cite this paper
@article{1723816,
author = {Rohit Ekka},
title = {Buddhist Wisdom for a Changing World: How Impermanence Can Heal Immigration Tensions},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {1171-1183},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723816.pdf},
abstract = {Migration is an intrinsic and historically significant aspect of human civilization, mirroring natural phenomena such as the movement of birds, the dispersal of seeds, and the flow of rivers across borders. While migration has long been a driving force behind cultural and economic development, it has become a contentious issue in the contemporary global landscape. Many nations perceive immigration as a threat to national identity, economic stability, and resource distribution. Although the preservation of cultural heritage is a legitimate concern, the ethical ramifications of restrictive immigration policies necessitate a critical and balanced examination.
This study explores the applicability of the Buddhist doctrine of Anicca (impermanence) as a philosophical framework for addressing immigration-related challenges. The principle of impermanence highlights the transient and evolving nature of human societies, challenging the sustainability of rigid opposition to migration. By incorporating this perspective, the research advocates for a balanced, ethical approach a “middle path” that reconciles national interests with fundamental human rights while fostering global harmony. Utilizing a combination of theoretical analysis and empirical research, this study critically assesses contemporary immigration policies and underscores the potential repercussions of sustained resistance to migration, including socioeconomic disparities and geopolitical instability.
The findings suggest that acknowledging the impermanent nature of social and political structures can facilitate more adaptive, humane, and forward-thinking immigration policies. Although integrating this philosophical framework into national governance presents challenges, historical evidence demonstrates that societies have continually evolved in response to migration. This research underscores the necessity of transcending rigid nationalism in favour of a more inclusive, human-centred paradigm of coexistence. Furthermore, this study provides a foundation for future research on how the principle of impermanence might reshape national security discourses, either by alleviating migration-related anxieties or presenting new policy considerations in managing global migration crises.},
month = {October},
}