Abstract of paper presented at the 2nd WFB World Buddhist Business Forum, 23-24 December, 2011, Taipei, Taiwan.

An Empowering Merit-based Buddhist Economy the Asoke Practice in Thailand

Bong C.L. Malaysia This paper presents observations on a model of a vibrant merit-based Buddhist economy generated through right livelihood as practised by the Asoke Buddhist community of Thailand. The Asoke community was founded by Venerable Bodhiraksa more than thirty years ago. It now has at least nine well-established major centres and many smaller communities spread throughout Thailand. Its rapid yet sustainable growth as a socioeconomically successful independent and upright community that serves humanity, nurtures and replenishes rather than selfishly exploits man, resources and nature as seen in traditional economy is based on their advocacy and practice of a return to Buddhist way of life, the purpose and goal of which is spiritual liberation. This contrasts sharply with what is commonly occurring now, in which the pursuit or goal of life is the mindless accumulation of material wealth as top priority above everything else, and in the process man destroys the environment and loses the meaning and direction of life so that a society of social ills prevails and dominates, where greed feeds on more greed, where aversion burns ever so strongly, and delusions are so blinding. Countries are invaded, hundreds of thousands of lives can be sacrificed, millions more lives put in misery, nature and environment mercilessly destroyed just because some deluding and greedy groups of people want control of certain resources. Lately one sees financial crisis hitting one country after another, one region after another. Obviously there is something fundamentally wrong that drives this world and its economy. This something can be traced to the three poisons taught in Buddhism, greed (lobha), aversion (dosa) and delusion (moha). The endless and mindless pursuit and accumulation of material wealth without giving back is not only unsustainable but destructive to mind and body. A return to the Buddhist way of life, the goal of which is attainment of liberation as the priority is one way of treating this ill world. An economy that is built based on Buddhist teachings and values can thrive sustainably for the well-being of humanity, nature and environment and where win-win situation prevails for everyone and everything else. The Asoke model of merit-based economy that supports the primary goal of spiritual pursuit of attaining liberation from sasra shows that such economy is workable and achievable. The Srisa Asoke model as an example of this merit-based Buddhist economy is presented here. Through their practice of right livelihood, abundance is created. Through generosity of sharing this abundance without seeking returns, merits are accumulated in support of their pursuit of spiritual life. From their generosity of sharing their produce and technological innovations freely, people and communities benefit and are empowered to achieve financial independence and contribute further to expand the size and influence of an economy built

on wholesomeness of hearts and goodwill. Through rippling effect of this practice, a special niche market for products and services produced based on wholesome spirit (ethics), generosity and appreciation of humanity and environment has been created and is gradually and surely expanding.