(e) Contentment and Consumerism At this point I would like to introduce a few comments on the subject of contentment. Although it doesn’t fit in exactly with the argument being put forward here, it is…
The Major Characteristics of Buddhist Economics (1) Middle-way economics: realization of true well-being (2) Not harming oneself or others
(1) Middle-way economics: realization of true well-being An important characteristic of Buddhist economics is that it is a ‘middle-way’. It might be called a middle-way economics. The Buddhist way of …
(2) Not harming oneself or others A further meaning of the term ‘just the right amount’ is of not harming oneself or others. This is another important principle and one that is used in Buddhism as the…
Technology I would like to digress a little at this point and say something about technology. The question may be asked as to what our understanding of technology is. In Buddhism, or particularly in B…
Summary In summary, one important point that must be stressed is that the economic results that we seek are not ends in themselves. They are means, and the end to which they must lead is the developme…
Appendix: General Principles of Buddhist Economics (Middle-way Economics) Wise Consumption Freedom from Self-harm and from Oppression of Others Economy as a Support Harmony with Human Nature Integrati…
1. Wise Consumption Consumption is the starting point of the entire economic process, because production, trade, and distribution all originally stem from consumption. At the same time, consumption is…
2. Freedom from Self-harm and from Oppression of Others The term ‘self’ here refers to each human individual, both in the sense of: 1) a living organism comprising a part of nature, and 2) a member of…
3. Economy as a Support In this era economic development and success has chiefly been measured by economic growth, i.e. the focus has been on material abundance and prosperity or on objects of consump…