By Bhikkhu Saranapala

Buddhist Chaplain, University of Toronto

The Talk delivered at the Multi-faith Centre Auditorium, St. George Campus, University of Toronto
March 19, 2009

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all I would like to extend my personal blessings and greetings to all of you. Thank you for organizing this interfaith conference on a timely topic, “Global Economic Meltdown: Secular Religious Response.”

May be, that some of you are thinking, since as a Buddhist monk who has chosen to live a homeless life of poverty and celibacy, that I am immune to the impact of the current crisis and the credit crunch that is spreading like some infectious decease! Don’t be so sure my friends! – These days, when we happen to see the food that some devotees in their religious fervor and generosity put in our begging bowls, with no frills and trimmings as before, but with a lot of ‘trimming’ we know for sure, there is a crises and a crunch in the making in the community! Although it does not affect our serenity our hearts go out to the parishioner in sympathy, the man or the woman, who had lost his/her job due to lay-offs, closures and bankruptcies the present crisis had triggered and is hard pressed to make ends meet.

Let’s ask a few honest questions. Is today’s crisis real? Is it the natural consequence some prevalent conditions that hide reality and make us all go mad, sending us in all directions looking for solutions searching miracle workers of the world to fix things right when solutions are right in your own backyard?

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The world has enough for people’s needs, but not enough for people’s greed.” If Mahatma Gandhi’s remark was true then, it is even truer today that our planet still has enough for us to survive and to live a happy life and even share with others. Experts know it. If we exert our minds a little to know the truth, I’ll know it and you’ll know it! Then why do we always feel like it’s not enough for us?

Buddha identified greed as the root cause of suffering and dissatisfaction in the human race. Buddhism informs us that in order to enjoy the fruits of the earth to the fullest individuals and nations have to be frugal without giving in to the overabundance of greed deeply rooted in every one of us.

The very media that helped create monster crooks of the stock market some of whom are now under house arrest, languishing in their million dollar condos on the heart of New York, yes my friends, that very media have taken a 180 degree turn and have begun to preach frugality and prudence exposing unpardonable excesses of their one time favorite sponsors. This is a good sign.

Who’s to blame? For this enormous crisis global economic downturn that’s now unwittingly pushing us into good old virtues of frugality, prudence, and concern for the less fortunate and the mass of humanity that had made the mistake of chasing after illusory pipe dreams of future stability and security. His Holiness Dalai Lama, in a media conference in Brussels in December 2008, said: “Market itself is a creation of human beings. “What then is the real cause of this sort of economic crisis? He queried. His answer was, “Too much speculation and ultimately greed! So, if you want to help, here’s the secret! Reduce greed and increase self-discipline!”

Buddhism is a humanistic religion the centre of which is the human being, the individual, the only one who has the freedom of choice to make intelligent decisions beneficial to him self and others. Buddhism emphasizes the individual responsibility and accountability and suggests that man has to change his way of thinking and attitude toward himself and others. Whatever he does it has to be based on compassion, love, broader understanding and human dignity. Then only a solution is possible for the current crisis. In the context of the global crisis, it is first the individual who has to become frugal in his effort to reduce natural greed. It is he /she who has to make a decision to get that unaffordable mortgage or car – even for the sake of keeping up with the Johnses’.

Therefore, harkening back to good old moral values and virtue’s of frugality and prudence and common sense seems to be the need of the hour!

This is not exclusively a Buddhist solution alone since these virtues have been in vogue from time immemorial in different cultures and societies around the globe. Virtues of a calm bearing, Simplicity, being persons of few wants, equanimity and concern for others have always been praised by religious leaders and poets through the centuries.

Now what of our Rulers and Governments which are composed of individuals? Listen to what Buddha has to say in this matter that touch on the very crisis the world is experiencing today.

Of a herd of cattle if the leading bull goes crooked,
All the followers go crooked, not knowing that they do so
Even so among humans if the one considered the chief,
Is unrighteous, all the following become unrighteous
If the king is unrighteous, the whole country rest unpleasantly

Of a herd of cattle if the leading bull goes straight,
All the followers go straight, not knowing that they do so
Even so among humans if the one considered the chief,
Is righteous, all the following become righteous
If the king is righteous, the whole country rest pleasantly.
(Adhamma Sutta – Unrighteous (AN 4.7 Pattakamma Vagga)

This simile explains, then, sense of responsibility or accountability a head of a state or the head of a company ought to possess. In either case, if the decision is based on immoral intention, everything becomes immoral. Thus it leads to economical, social and political crisis and instability. In the same way, if the decision is based on moral intention, everything becomes moral. Thus, it leads to peace and stability in the world.

If for an example, America as most influential nation in the world and a super power does resolve to be upright and moral in her dealings with the rest of the world it’s a good example that is definitely going to have a positive impact on the rest of the world.

Now, let me draw your attention to two cardinal principles of the Buddhism: firstly to the doctrine of cause and effect and secondly to the Four Noble Truths – the heart of Buddhism.

Cause and Effect

Once, a wondering ascetic asked from the Venerable Assaji, an enlightened disciple of the Buddha, who was on a mission: “Brother, you look so serene and peaceful. You must have found the true way to wisdom and liberation from suffering. Who is your teacher? What does he teach? Then the Venerable Assaji told him: Brother, I became a disciple of the Buddha very recently. I have not learned much about his teaching yet. However, I have learned a phenomenal and universally practical teaching from him as follows:

Of things that proceed from a cause,
Their causes the Buddha has told,
And also their cessation or ending:
Thus teaches the great ascetic

This clarifies that whatever we have in life, everything has a necessary cause and condition. Thus, Buddhism teaches causal links and it is called in Pali “Paticca-Samuppada” – the Dependent Co-arising or the Dependent Origination. This has further been explained elsewhere as follows:

If this is/exists, that is/exists.
With the arising of this, that arises.
If this is not, that is not.
With the ceasing of this, that ceases.

Based on this key principle of Buddhism, now let me further shed some light as to what Buddhism has to say about current economic crisis.

Buddhism does not see just single cause behind problems and crisis in the world. It sees multiple causes. Even for the present economic downturn!

There are also the moral and individual causes and this is elaborated in another discourse of the Buddha called the “Discourse of Great Cause.”

“Craving is dependent on feeling,
Seeking (investigating/research) is dependent on craving,
Acquisition (gain) is dependent on seeking,
Ascertainment (inference and give value) is dependent on acquisition,
Desire and passion is dependent on ascertainment,
Attachment is dependent on desire and passion,
Possessiveness is dependent on attachment,
Stinginess is dependent on possessiveness,
Defensiveness is dependent on stinginess,
And because of defensiveness,
Dependent on defensiveness,

Various evil, unskillful phenomena come into play: the taking up of sticks and knives; conflicts,         quarrels, and disputes; accusations, divisive speech, and lies.”
(Mahanidana Sutta)

As it is clear from the quote above, one cause leads to another. Craving is the primary cause that begets sorrow and fear. If one can lead a life free from craving, in other words greed and desire, then he/she cannot have sorrow and fear at all.

As I mentioned before the heart of Buddhism is the teaching of Four Noble Truths. These are as follows:

There is Suffering ; know it for certain!
There is the Cause of Suffering; eliminate it!
There is Cessation of Suffering; attain cessation!
There is the Path to the Cessation of Suffering; Meditate in it and follow it

In terms of the current economic crisis we see as said before, the Cause of this suffering is the uncontrolled desire/craving/greed/stinginess. Cessation of suffering is the healing, recovery or liberation from present economic crisis. The world is not going to experience current economic crisis forever. There is a healing and solution to the problem or crisis. If man made if man created the problem in the first place, man can solve it too. The Path to cessation of suffering is the recovery plan. This recovery plan or road map must come from both individual, collective efforts.

Buddhist Recovery Plan for Current Economic Crisis

The Buddha outlines the basic framework of Buddhist ethics for rulers and it is set out in the “Ten Duties of the King” called in Pali dasa-raja-dhamma. The ruler as a first citizen and guardian of a country must follow these duties and must be endowed with qualities below:

1. Generosity (Dana in Pali) – The head of the state must practice giving and charity.  He/she “should not have craving and attachment for wealth and property, but should give it away for the welfare of the people.”

2. Morality (Sila in Pali) – The head of the state must be of a good conduct and “high and moral character.”  He/she “should never destroy life, cheat, steal and exploit others, commit adultery, utter falsehood, or take intoxicating drinks.”

3. Sacrifice (Pariccaga in Pali) – The head of the state should be able to sacrifice everything for the good of the subjects.  He/she “must be prepared to give up all personal comfort, name and fame, and even his life, in the interest of the people.”

4. Honesty and integrity (Ajjava in Pali) – The head of the state “must be free from fear and favour in the discharge of his duties, must be sincere in his intentions, and must not deceive the public.”

5. Gentleness and kindness (Maddava in Pali) – The head of the state “must possess a genial temperament.”

6. Austerity (Tapa in Pali) – The head of the state “must lead a simple life, and should not indulge in a life of luxury.  He must have self-control.”

7. No enmity and envy (Akkodha in Pali) – The head of the state “should bear no grudge against anybody.”

8. Non-violence (Avihimsa in Pali) – The head of the state “should harm nobody…should try to promote peace by avoiding and preventing war, and everything which involves violence and destruction of life.”

9. Patience and tolerance (Khanti in Pali) – The head of the state “must be able to bear hardships, difficulties and insults without losing his temper.”

10. Non-opposition (Avirodha in Pali) – The head of the state “should not oppose the will of the people, should not obstruct any measures that are conducive to the welfare of the people. In other words he should rule in harmony with his people.”

(Read “What the Buddha Taught” by Walpola Rahula for more detail)

As we expect the rulers to follow these tenfold duties, we as citizens also have to change and do our own part by following certain principles.

Some Salient Advices to Lay People

In the Vyaggjapajja Sutta of the Anguttara Nikaya, the Buddha gives the advices to a group of lay people as conducive to their own economic well-being and happiness here and now.

Utthana Sampada – “Perseverance and diligence” – a person must be really enthusiastic, diligent and energetic in performing his/her job “whether it is farming, a trade, business or a profession.”

Arakkha Sampada – “Protection and Security” – a person must protect his/her wealth.

Kalyana Mittata – “Good friendship” – a person must associate with good friends who are wise and virtuous. Good friends protect and help their own friends, and guide them into the right direction

Samajivita – “Balanced livelihood” - a person must not be too generous spending more than his/her means allow. He/she must not be niggardly clinging to his/her your wealth. A person has to avoid the extremes and must spend in proportion to his/her income.

Right Livelihood

In addition to advices given in the discourse above, the Buddha in the Noble Eightfold Path laid down four standards of harmoniously right livelihood to which a lay follower should conform.

A person must acquire wealth through legal means only
A person must acquire it without any harm and violence
A person must acquire it with honesty
A person must acquire wealth in ways which do not hurt or harm others

If world citizens follow these principles I am of the view that the global economy would thrive beyond the measure. Now let me conclude my presentation with following twelve suggestions for our own personal healing, economic

well-being and social and political stability in our own physical world:
1.    The head of the state or the company must be righteous in tuned with Tenfold Duties of a King
2.    His decision has to be made in consultation with right people
3.    The act of Giving must be practiced by all alike
4.    Those who are wealthy must share with those who are in need
5.    We need to minimize stinginess and greed – if not remove them from your heart for an utter liberation from suffering
6.    We all need to be content with whatever we have.
7.    We need to adopt a simple life
8.    We must have less needs
9.    We need to understand one key principle: “one day you gain another day you lose. One day you lose another day you gain.”
10.    Sing the kindergarten nursery rhyme: “Row, row, row the boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.”
11.    We must understand that everything is impermanent.
12.    Nothing belongs to you. Therefore, don’t hang onto whatever you experience in the journey of life

Finally I would like to conclude my presentation by stating the Buddhist economic plan for all as follows:

“One portion of money should be designated for personal consumption.
One should keep two portions for conducting one’s business.
The fourth portion should be kept in reserve,
For one might need it in times of difficulty!”

My Friends, I leave these thoughts with you! These are not my words but those of Gautama Buddha uttered in compassion for a human race, for individuals and institutions, slipping away, just as today, from their secure moorings of morality, peace and stability.

May the rains come in good season for a rich harvest for all citizens; may the world be prosperous and full of peace and harmony! May our rulers be righteous!

Thank you.