SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

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240 The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy International Conference At the training courses the trainees are also exposed to the Asoke Buddhist teachings, where the Noble Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts are discussed in detail. BUNNIYOM AND THE MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAMME Asoke group has developed its own Buddhist economic theory called bunniyom or “meritism” as an alternative to thunniyom i.e. capitalism. In capitalism, people are seen to use the following four criteria to measure success in life: material riches, worldly position, fame and mundane pleasures. Capitalists want big houses and more money, whereas those who follow the bunniyom-system are satisfied with small houses, and they do not need much money in order to be happy. Capitalists demand more clothes and decorations, whereas followers of bunniyom are satisfied with simplicity and modesty. The capitalists prefer to work less for more money, whereas the bunniyom group works more and takes less. The capitalists use high technology for their construction and at the same time destroy the ecological system, whereas bunniyom is not interested in big buildings and high technology. Bunniyom is hence also regarded as an environmentally friendly alternative. 14 In the practical terms, the bunniyom shops in all Asoke centres try to follow the policy of meritism. One of its manifestations is that the goods have two prices labeled on them: the original price for which it was purchased and the new price which the shop is selling the goods for. The difference between the prices is extremely low. Bunniyom does not emphasise profit, but emphasises instead the spiritual merit gained when donating goods to the customers or when receiving as low profit as possible from the customers. The four guiding principles of bunniyom economy are - selling for low profit - changing for equal price - changing for lower price - giving for free. Private property is not glorified in Asoke, instead many resources are owned collectively by various foundations, associations or organisations, such as by Thamma Santi Foundation and Kong Thub Dharm (Dharma Army) Foundation. Asoke practitioners, who work outside the temple, regularly contribute to these foundations. The foundations then support the activities of the various organisations. The three companies, Palang Bun super market, Dae Chiwit retailer and Fah Aphai publishing and printing house are also financially supported by the foundations. The workers in those three companies receive a very low salary, whereas the workers in 14 For more details, see Heikkilã-Horn 1997: 123.
The Meaning of Sufficiency Economy International Conference 241 the vegetarian restaurant, for instance, work for free. 15 To work is to practise and show ‘devotion’(siasala) to Lord Buddha. Money is pooled together in a central office (Satharana boki), from where different work bases can borrow money for their projects. Asoke group started their own private saving group (Sajja omsap), from where the individual members can borrow money for various purposes. The projects must be both viable and ethically sound. The money has to be paid back in a reasonable time, but with no interest. In other words, it is very similar to some informal credit unions and micro loan projects in other developing countries. Many centres have gasoline stations, which are leased from a local gasoline company. Many centres also have libraries, health care centres and dental clinics. Some centres have pharmacy shops, rice mills, and bookstores. The centres can borrow money from the outside institutions for their construction projects or for other purposes. Some centres have received money from the Cooperatives Promotion Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, or from the Thai Traditional Medical Institute. It is equally possible to borrow from other Asoke centres or from the central office (Satharana boki) located in Santi Asoke. The other centre, where Asoke communities can borrow money is the Welfare Fund (Gongbun sawaddikhan). Ultimately bunniyom is regarded as a method to create strong local communities, which give a solid ground for the entire country to survive and avoid economic crises and to gain some level of national self-sufficiency. According to the Asoke ideology, freedom from materialism is the real freedom and freedom from greed leads to a peaceful society. Bunniyom is regarded as a practical and concrete way to decrease selfishness. To donate money to the Asoke temples or foundations is not solicited the way it s done for instance in Wat Dhammakaya and many other mainstream temples. Visitors who come for the first time to Asoke are not at all allowed to donate money. They must visit the temple at least seven times to show that they understand the teachings of the temple before they are allowed to donate. Working for the temple is valued higher than any material contribution, as work is regarded as spiritual practice. CONCLUDING REMARKS The Asoke group has become an important player in the wider discourse on alternative economic systems and Buddhist economics. The latest economic crisis may even increase the global interest in entirely new economic policies. In Thailand, the economic initiatives of the Asoke group have been positively received, but the 15 In 2011, the wages were 3,000 Thai baht per month.
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SUFFiciENcy EcONOMy ANd GRASSROOtS DEvElOPMENt

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