10:39 PM
mr.vam
Buddhist Economic Ethics
by Vamsapala
1.
Preface
Respectfully I would
like to be Grateful to my teacher Ashin Sumanacara, who gives me a duty to
write this “Buddhist Economic Ethic” assignment which basic on “Buddhist Ethic”
subject, he guide us to work properly with our own writing function in order to
improve our knowledge in English as well as his encouraging is to know the
significant of Buddhist concepts in Buddhist ethics to students and I would
like to thanks all M.C.U teacher who are always give kindliness such as their
own children to the monks students when their teaching time.so that I really
deeply acknowledge of their compassion and loving kindness to us especially to
our “ Buddhist Ethic” teacher.
2.
Introduction
Generally, there are four
kind of ethics knows as Metta ethic, normative ethic, applied ethic and
decretive ethic however each religion has distributed their own ethics. In Buddhism
has also “Buddhist ethic”. Today I am going to apply about “Buddhist Economic
Ethics” subject on “Buddhist Ethic”. When I talk about “Buddhists Economic
Ethics” there will be two parts as main topics which are from “Buddhists and
Economic” views regarding with ethical concepts as well as I have divided six
different type of name as headers in order to explain more clear on “Buddhist
Ethics” compare with another concept of ethical views such as “mainstream
economic and Buddhist economic to complete widely. The writing function will be
a kind of philosophical concept and moral principal as well. In deep, most of the
ideas are showing my own understanding on this topic and I hope that this topic
will be more reasonable writing in both Buddhist and ethical views.
3.
Buddhists Concept & Ethics
In
Theravada concept, Buddhism nether religion nor philosophy because Buddhism
different from others religions. Religions teach to faiths but Buddha shows the
way to practice. There is not forceful anything to do in Buddhism. Generally
original of Buddhist didn’t consider the metaphysis which has later distribute
by Buddha’s followers. However remember that Buddha introduced us to realize
simple method to practice in reality but to believe in imagination that is why
Buddhism should not called as a religion. There has very clear reason in kalama
sutta regarding with ethical point of views that Buddha says:
"Do not believe in anything (simply)
because you have heard it.
because you have heard it.
Do
not believe in traditions because they
have been handed down for many generations.
have been handed down for many generations.
Do
not believe in anything because it is
spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because
it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority
of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis
when you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all
then accept it and live up to it.
spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because
it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority
of your teachers and elders. But after observation and analysis
when you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all
then accept it and live up to it.
Therefore it is the most appropriate
concept. It is right to follow from ethical views as well. The explanation of
ethic is a moral code in any cases to be balance and show reasonable concept in
the world today. Ethics studies values and virtues
both are consider acting right ways. Accept to be good in wealth, love and free
down and religions. For example, you donate something in religion which you
believe in that you believe to be back something as reflection. It is
reasonable idea what people accept in any realigns including Buddhists. That is
why we choose and we do batter what we think and believe but it is should be
ethical concept. So saying that ethic which is generally knows as four
castigate as follow..
1.
Meta-ethics, about the theoretical
meaning and reference of moral propositions and how their truth
values (if any) may be determined.
4.
Descriptive ethics,
also known as comparative ethics, is the study of people's beliefs about
morality.[2]
Briefly,
ethic explain thus four concepts as mean doctoral philosophy systemically that
metta-understanding of nature, normative-study of ethical action,
applied-specialize discipline and descriptive-value-free approach as Buddha
thought on Kalama Sutta.
4.
Buddhist ethics
‘’Ayameva Kho Bhikkhu
Ariyo Atthant giko Maggo Brahmacariya…
Monk, the Noble
Eightfold Path is Brahmacariya: Code of Ethics”
(S. 19/30/7).[3]
The meaning of
Brahmacariya , is sublime life. It is noble conduct or behavior because it
leads to highest virtue in the Buddha teaching which has consisting
Right view, Right intention, Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right
mindfulness and Right concentration. Among them, Right speech, Right action,
Right livelihood are ethical conduct in Buddhist virtues.
In Buddhist ethic, Brahmacariya has also
regarding with universal moral code of five precepts, no killing, no stalling,
no sensual misconduct, no talking lie and no drinking alcohol and four
Brahmavihara which are known as metta: loving-kindness, Karuna: compassion,
Mudita: sympathetic joy and Upekkha: equanimity. Those four virtues are so
called Brahmavihara which guide to practice to Brahmacariya in Buddha teaching.
There
are mentioned as the most important Buddhist ethical Dhammas known as sila: means morality or moral conduct, such as
five precepts which means by which morality is kept. smadhi: means concentration,
one-pointedness of mind and mental discipline. Panna: means insight,
discernment. Among then sila is the key to reach the high level steps. Sila
represents an action that has been taken or mommitted through the body mind and
speech of the being and it is characterized by intentional effort therefor sila
refer to moral ethics to purify the mind and matter accepting smadhi and panna
as following by sila.
In
the concept of Buddha teaching, Dhamma is the ethic which should follow and
practice and which is not should follow and practice. The brief of
understanding in Buddha’s teaching, it is the only tree words, “avoiding evil,
keep morality to be purify the mind” so that thus brief words are the most
significance ethical teaching in Buddhism.
5.
Buddhist economic
According to P.A. Payutoo,
Buddhist economics is a spiritual approach to economics. It examines the
psychology of the human mind which connects to direct economic activities. It
refers to Buddhist middle way life too. Basically, most of the Buddhists
scholars mention in this Buddhist economics topic that “Right Livelihood” which
is a most valuable point in Buddhism, is
of the requirements of the Noble Eightfold Path. Therefore, Right
Livelihood should know as a mean teaching of Buddhist economic.
On the one hand,
Buddhist economic encourage people to act simple way in economic. Especially,
in order to be balance in any cases. Nowadays, the modern economic has been so
developing day by day however the economic problem has increasing at the same
ways such global economic crisis , over product scare resources . The problem is that people have intent to
get unlimited want. So that Buddhist economic approach that to solve those kind
of problem. On the others hand, Buddhist
middle way, “Right Livelihood” explain simply that how to live and how to die
in this world. It is we can so called “Balance Life” which has clear definition
from Buddhist point of views that it is a disciple of the noble ones and it is
avoiding dishonest livelihood, keeps the life going with right livelihood.
Buddhist economic teach
to understand right way basic on Right livelihood in Buddhist middle way. It is
a function to practice to be balance boss to employers, parents to children,
teacher to student, people to people, society to society, nation to nation and
country to country. The benefice of right livelihood is leading to pace within
human beings. To understand right livelihood we need to know what is wrong
livelihood which in not to do Business in weapons, business in human beings,
business in meat, business in intoxicants, and business in poison. Those
teachings are key reason to avoid in Buddhism.
There has a most
functional word in Buddhist teaching regarding with Buddhist economic ethic
that non-violence which is consisting in five precept “law of universal moral
codes” , is very necessary to be tranquility of the world where man create more
conditionals backgrounds what human needed such as sociology, political,
religions and business in all of hose reason will continues properly without
any problems if our world tranquility which refer to avoid violence. Thus I
have mention that non-violence, right livelihood are one of the most emphasize
Buddhist perspective to our community, environment and earth. It is also
Buddhist Economists approach in our daily lives.
6.
Apply
to Economics in Middle Way
Applied ethics approach
to Economic in Middle way that test ethical principle and equality everything
in our world because middle way talk about balance to us . P.A. Payoutta said :
“From a Buddhist perspective, economic
principles are related to the three interconnected aspects of human existence:
human beings, society and the natural environment. Buddhist economics must be
in concord with the whole causal process and to do that it must have a proper
relationship with all three of those areas, and they in turn must be in harmony
and mutually supportive. Economic activity must take place in such a way that
it doesn't harm oneself (by causing a decline in the quality of life) and does
not harm others (by causing problems in society or imbalance in the
environment).” [4]
Thus
he mentions three ways to be balance in economic that human beings, society and
environment are quick effective to do business form Buddhist point of view.
Those mentioned not only Buddhist perspective function but also economical
ethics agree with them. The only one way diffident between Buddhist ethic and
economic ethic that should be religion view of Buddhist economic: academy way
of economic.
Nowadays,
the major problem for society and environment that was made by human who have
so much greed and unlimited want that is why all problem we have that human
created. So that human have reasonability to resolve all problem which have
been harming to animals and environments. The world we create beautiful or the
world we create ugly by ourselves. Although we did thinking right we need look
back and undertake what we have done in this world as the doers.
In
middle way, the Buddha taught us to realize with awareness whatever we do and
did following by Noble Eightfold Paths. The benefit of middle way in economic
is possibly categorized as below ..
1. Socialism
2. Non-violence
3. Peaceful
society
4. Environmental
preservation
In
many way we can undertake what is good thing by own self or others. It is
either we do ourselves or encouraging other to perceptive by right action in
middle way in economic.
7.
Buddhist Economics and Mainstream Economics
I would like to compare
with between Buddhist economic and mainstream economic how they connect each
other and why we need try to compare in case study of Buddhist ethics. The
reason why Buddhist applies the principles of Buddha teaching in economic as
well as focus on modern economic. Basically between two sides of economics we
have systemically method to introduce our society that is ..
“Buddhist economics
activities with the aim for both individuals and society to achieve peace and
tranquility under resource constraint, Mainstream economics activities
(production, distribution, and consumption) with the aim for individuals to
achieve maximum utility under the condition of resource constraint and for the
society to reach maximum welfare under
the same condition”. [5]
Thus
we learn how the way we can get benefit between two persons, consumer and
producers who need compare with each other in every activity to be balance.
However, the major difference between Buddhist economics and mainstream
economics is that mainstream economic views the human as an economic man who
knows his own interests and choose to get maximize price. These are mostly
focus on self-interests and own profits in many way.
Buddhist
economic applied different understanding of human nature because Buddha
teaching to see interdependence of all things especially between living beings
and non-living beings dependent on causes and effects. It is clear we can see
that how Buddhist economic approach in our societies. It is encourage people
need rather than personal choose or not only to gain benefit oneself but also to
be balance with another’s options. That is why we can see how Buddhist economic
and mainstream economics work different in society but we can try to change to
be batter life , to be batter world introduced
by Buddhist economic from ethical views.
8. Buddhist
Economics Ethics
The analysis of Buddhist economic is
affective to our social and environmental ethics. Expect from self- interest,
Buddhist economics more focus on others living and non-living things rolling by
cause and effects. The Buddhists are more reliable on moral code what Buddha
teaching that began from universal law of Five Precepts, Noble Eightfold Path,
Four Noble Truth until to enlighten from Buddhist cause. In briefly, Buddhism guides
to human beings how to live and how to die affectively in this world so long as
liberation from this living lives.
Why do we need Buddhist economic
ethic in living lives and what are they to do so the reason that Buddha
teaching give us clarify answer that is..
“Buddhist economic thought and practice must
be reunited with ethics that are more caring of the human-nature base. Such
ethics may be found in alternative economic models based on religious,
spiritual, environmental, or feminist values. This essay considers one such
alternative”[6]
The value of Buddhist thought that
should be practicing oneself and encouraging others to do so rather than
belief. Not to do harmful others in economics including society and environment.
It is like the ultimate teaching of Buddhism as principal of human to occur on
middle way between biolistic and non-biolistic.
So that the Buddhist economic ethic is very essential virtue to get
solution in any economic crisis and problem using with Buddhist middle way.
9. Conclusion
Buddhist Ethic which is also known
as Buddhist morality is the very significant virtue for all human-kind. Each
country and each society they have their own rule of laws to protect and
develop their lands as well as those lands have also their own believe an
concept basic on religions teaching. In every religion has of their own
statements to respect, obey, and follow the principles and rules of their relevant
people. In fact, ethics which also one of the essential concepts of religions
and societies, guide us to be balance, peace and non-violence in social,
business and political events. Exactly, Buddhist economic ethics concept which refer
to get solution in every problem and crises in the world today, are also one of
the very important way to do develop individually of their own morality and
human principle to live peacefully in society. Thus I have explanation in body
part of this article which is a kind of useful for Buddhist ethical concept as
well as social economic and morally principle to practice in human society.
10. Reference
7.
[1] Theravada
Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Ethics slide, Classroom teaching M.C.U, Dr.
Natdhira Sridee, Second Semester, Pg-31,
2013
8.
Buddhist
Economics A Middle Way for the market place , Payutto, Ven.P.A Translated by Dhammavijaya and Bruce Evans, compiled by
Bruce Evans and Jourdan Arenson
9.
Buddhism
& economic, Buddhist economic that
is beyond that of Schumacher’s and sufficiency economy, Montra, leoseng, Dr, 3rd
years , 2nd semester, classroom teaching slides, 2013.
10.
[1]
Sufficiency Economy and Santi Asoke: Buddhist Economic Ethics for a Just and Sustainable World , Juliana
Essen , Soka University of America, , Journal of Buddhist Ethics ISSN 1076-9005
http://www.buddhistethics.org/ Volume 17, 2010/ view-20/2/1012.
[3] Theravada
Buddhist Philosophy, Buddhist Ethics slide, Classroom teaching M.C.U, Dr.
Natdhira Sridee, Second Semester, Pg-31,
2013
[4]Buddhist Economics A Middle Way for the market place , Payutto, Ven.P.A Translated by Dhammavijaya and Bruce Evans, compiled by Bruce Evans and Jourdan Arenson
[5]Buddhism &
economic, Buddhist economic that is
beyond that of Schumacher’s and sufficiency economy, Montra, leoseng, Dr, 3rd
years , 2nd semester, classroom teaching slides, 2013.
[6] Sufficiency
Economy and Santi Asoke: Buddhist Economic Ethics for a Just and Sustainable World , Juliana
Essen , Soka University of America, , Journal of Buddhist Ethics ISSN 1076-9005
http://www.buddhistethics.org/ Volume 17, 2010/ view-20/2/1012.
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