SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt
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236<br />
The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy <br />
International Conference<br />
waiting to blossom in Trang, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Roi Et<br />
and Loei. 8 <br />
The economy of Asoke centres is based on organic agriculture. They have<br />
bought or rented fields for rice cultivation and gardens for vegetables. Each centre<br />
usually also produces its own tofu, mushrooms and drinking water. Additionally the<br />
centres produce and sell herbal shampoos, detergents, mosquito repellants, herbal<br />
medicine and herbal teas. These products are sold to the public in cooperative shops<br />
on a very small profit. Yet this income enables the centres to invest in computers,<br />
vehicles, dental clinics, and leaves them enough with resources to run primary,<br />
secondary and vocational schools free of charge. In case of emergency, Asoke group<br />
can send a sick community member to a well-equipped modern hospital. <br />
Asoke group publishes several weekly and monthly magazines, which discuss<br />
both Buddhist and general topics from politics to traveling. The group publishes<br />
books, tapes and DVDs with the teaching and preaching of various Asoke monks. 9<br />
After the liberalisation of the private TV satellite channels, the Asoke has their own<br />
TV channel called For Mankind TV (FMTV). <br />
Buddhism as interpreted by the leader of the group, Bodhiraksa, is the greatest<br />
source of spiritual inspiration for the Asoke people. On the intellectual level, the<br />
influence of E. F. Schumacher’s chapter on “Buddhist Economics” of his book<br />
“Small Is Beautiful” is obvious.<br />
<br />
‘RIGHT LIVELIHOOD’ – SAMMA AJIVA<br />
The Noble Eightfold Path mentions as the fifth ‘step’ that a practising Buddhist<br />
should carefully choose his or her profession. There are certain professions and<br />
occupations, which are totally banned for a Buddhist, according to the teachings. <br />
A Buddhist should not trade in arms, drugs and other intoxicants. Neither should <br />
a Buddhist be involved in trafficking in human beings. Selling animals as well as<br />
selling meat is banned, as refraining from destroying any life is the first precept for a<br />
Buddhist to follow. The five improper occupations (Miccha Ajiva) include stealing,<br />
cheating, deceiving, working for a bad person and working only for a money.<br />
There are no recommendations which professions are advisable, but usually<br />
Buddhism emphasises the opposite virtues of killing and hating i.e. compassion,<br />
mercy and nurturing life. <br />
“To refrain from destroying life” is the first precept. The precepts have an<br />
opposite set of recommendations, where the first recommendation consequently<br />
8<br />
There were 25 registered Asoke villages in Thailand in July 2011.<br />
9<br />
A very popular Asoke monk is Than Chan, who has had his own TV and radio programmes.<br />
Many of his followers were not initially aware of the fact that he is from the controversial Santi<br />
Asoke group.