Friday, June 5, 2009

Buddhist Economics: A Middle Way

Buddhist Economics: A Middle Way
...Bhikkhu P. A. Payutto...

In this small volume, Venerable Dhammapitaka (P. A. Payutto) offers a Buddhist perspective on the subject of economics. While not seeking to present a comprehensive Buddhist economic theory, he provides many tools for reflection, ways of looking at economic questions based on a considered appreciation of the way things are, the way we are...


Buddhist Economics
A Middle Way for the Market Place
By Ven. P. A. Payutto

--- --- ---

Translated by Dhammavijaya and Bruce Evans
Compiled by Bruce Evans and Jourdan Arenson



Download the PDF (253 KB) / Buddhist Economics


Contents

Chapter One

The Problem of Specialization
The Two Meanings of Dhamma
How Ethics Condition Economics

Chapter Two

The Buddhist View of Human Nature
From Conflict to Harmony
Ethics and the Two Kinds of Desire
Ethical Considerations in Economic Activity

Chapter Three

Buddhist Perspectives on Economic Concepts
Value
Consumption
Moderation
Non-consumption
Contentment
Work
Production and Non-production
Competition and Cooperation
Choice
Life Views

Chapter Four

The Role of Wealth in Buddhism
Right Livelihood
Miserliness
Knowing Wealth's Limitations
Mental Attitude to Wealth
The Major Characteristics of Buddhist Economics

Chapter Five

Teachings on Economics from the Buddhist Scriptures
The Monastic Order
Householders
Government
The Inner Perspective
Seeking and Protecting Wealth
The Happiness of a Householder
The Benefits of Wealth
Wealth and Spiritual Development

Economic Stability in Buddhism
...Ven. M. Pannasha Maha Nayaka Thera...

In recent times many books have been written on the subject of economics and economic theory, all of them either from the Capitalist or Socialist point of view. Neither of these systems pays attention to, nor considers the inner development of man as an important factor in the growth of society. Hence there has been a rapid deterioration in human values and standards of behaviour in all classes of society.

Economics as if People Mattered
...E.F. Schumacher...

The Buddhist point of view takes the function of work to be at least threefold: to give man a chance to utilise and develop his faculties; to enable him to overcome his ego-centredness by joining with other people in a common task; and to bring forth goods and services needed for a becoming existence.

Buddhist Economics
...Phrabhavanaviriyakhun...

Buddhists often tend to disregard economics completely, because the monastic way of life idealized by Buddhism is economically very minimalist. Such neglect of comment concerning economic values is not warranted, however, because the Buddhist scriptures are in fact rich with advice from the Buddha regarding sound economic values -- and they are applicable to monastic and lay lifestyles alike.

___BUDDHIST ECONOMICS___

by Phrabhavanaviriyakhun (Phadet Dattajeevo)


CONTENTS