Economics,
as defined in the Oxford Dictionary, is a study of how a society or a community
organizes its money, trade and industry. In fact, economics has become one of
the important fields in a nation’s development. As a Buddhist, we might be
thinking that economics has little to do with us and we should not be
concerning about this. This was what I’m thinking about in the past. Well, if we’re
monks, then it’s okay not to have any concern about this. However, we’re still
laypeople, and our daily needs and consumptions revolve around economics. While
reading a chapter of “Maximum Benefits” in the “Dharma Moments” book by Danai
Chanchaochai, I rather agreed that how Bro. Danai interpreted economics as one
of the interdependent disciplines working towards the common goal of social,
individual and environmental well-being. Even during the Buddha’s time, Lord
Buddha had given economical advice to his devotees.
In
the Dīghajāṇu
Sutta (AN 8.54), the Blessed One addressed
to Dīghajāṇu
Byagghapajja, a wealthy clansman at that time, about the four accomplishments that
lead us to economic well-being.
1.
Accomplishment in initiatives (uṭṭhānasampadā)
While earning to acquire wealth, we should do it virtuously and
not taking advantage of others or engaging in an unwholesome trading not
complying the Right Livelihood such as trading in weaponry, trading in people, trading
in live animals, trading in intoxicants and trading in poisons (AN 5.177).
2.
Accomplishment in protection (ārakkhasampadā)
Upon earning our rightful wealth, we should consider how our
wealth can be carefully conserved from being stolen or consumed by disasters. Despite
having convenient banking system today, precautions are still needed. There are
still robbers and deceivers (scammers) out there working for illegal incomes.
3.
Accomplishment in good friendship (kalyāṇamittatā)
Sometimes, we’re ignorant in managing our wealth. That’s when our
good friends come in. Do not mistaken the “good” friend here with the friend
that always treat us well or always make us feel happy. The “good” friend I
mean here is the wholesome friend who’s virtuous and accomplished with faith,
ethics, generosity and wisdom. A good friend possesses the quality of a helper,
a companion, an admonisher and a compassionate one (DN 31).
4.
Accomplishment in balanced finances (samajīvitā)
Having
acquire our rightful wealth, we also need to manage and spend it wisely, not
being too extravagant or too frugal, or not spent on womanizing, drinking,
gambling and benefiting bad companions. The Blessed One mentioned in Adiya
Sutta (AN 5.41) that our wealth can
be managed into five portions: first portion for family and household; second
portion for generosity to our good friends; third portion for future emergency
uses; fourth portion for taxes and charities; and the fifth portion for supporting
the Sangha community. However, as era changes, more areas we need to spend on with the wealth we have such as loans, transportation and etc. It shouldn't be a problem as long as we know how to manage our finance wisely and not being too extravagant or too frugal in spending or spending on womanizing, drinking, gambling and benefiting bad friends.
Besides
that, Lord Buddha also mentioned another four accomplishments that lead to spiritual
well-being: accomplishment in conviction (saddhāsampadā), accomplishment
in virtues (sīlasampadā), accomplishment in generosity (cāgasampadā)
and accomplishment in wisdom (paññāsampadā).
These
are the advice given to lay devotees by Lord Buddha. It’s up to us whether or
not to act according to his advice as each of us has different financial
backgrounds. There are even people out there working just to make ends meet,
while there are also some subject to criminal activities for the wealth gain.
Well, if we’re wise enough, we shall be able to work rightfully and manage our
wealth diligently without having subject to any criminal activities that will
definitely be ruining our future lives if it is done.
This,
I believe, is the economics from the Buddhist perspective. Instead of putting so
much blames to the authorities and government on the poor national economy, why not we start pondering and reflecting ourselves whether are we being economical or do we even
know what economics is before putting judgments?
By
the way, this is just my own opinions and reflections. I’m still a learner and
there are many that’s yet for me to explore. With a fresh start in 2019, let us
begin by being mindful in managing our economics like a deer being mindful day and night. Happy New Year everyone!
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