The Concept of Buddhadasa Bikkhu’s Dhammic Economy Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study Buddhadasa Bikkhu’s perspective on Dhammic economy in terms of principles, goals, and practices using the hermeneutical methodology of the principle of “people’s language” (Phasa khon) - “Dhamma language” (Phasa thama) as a tool to explain his thoughts. This is a documentary research through the means of collecting data from relevant documents for data analysis and presenting it in the form of an analytical description.
The findings of the research reveal that 1) the principle of Dhammic economy must be an economy based on morality that expresses three values: (a) a cause of normality, (b) a normal result, (c) does not disturb the nature of normality; 2) The Dhammic economy goals have 2 levels: (a) achieving the right way of living with four requisites in managing resources to maximize the benefit of individuals and society, (b) realization of Nibbana, that is happiness, fulness of humanity, fulfilling beneficial duties and universal love; 3) Dhammic economy has 2 levels of practice: (a) the daily practice of the mundane lives of individuals, (b) the adherence to the principles of socio-economic organization that is the economic system of Dhammic socialism. It is the unselfish giving or altruism for the development of human life and society towards the ultimate goal: according to Buddhist teaching which is Nibbana.