http://harmonist.us/2009/12/the-reincarnation-of-buddhist-economics/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:29:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://harmonist.us/2009/12/the-reincarnation-of-buddhist-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-2844 Citta Hari dasa Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:01:05 +0000 http://harmonist.us/?p=3608#comment-2844 I would not say that Buddhist economics per se are the solution to the world's current economic woes, but the Buddhist idea that ethics cannot be separated from economics, definitely. Clearly the metrics for defining success on a societal level (such as GDP) that do not take into account the abstract, subjective qualities like satisfaction, happiness, etc., are responsible for at least part of the mess we're in. Ignoring the not-so-obvious human and environmental costs results in a totally skewed view of the consequences of our economic activity; we think all is peachy as long as the growth rate is on the positive side without realizing that there are many negatives associated with positive growth. Finally those negatives are being given the attention they are due for we are beginning to see that they amount to a substantial piece of the quality of life puzzle. I would not say that Buddhist economics per se are the solution to the world’s current economic woes, but the Buddhist idea that ethics cannot be separated from economics, definitely. Clearly the metrics for defining success on a societal level (such as GDP) that do not take into account the abstract, subjective qualities like satisfaction, happiness, etc., are responsible for at least part of the mess we’re in. Ignoring the not-so-obvious human and environmental costs results in a totally skewed view of the consequences of our economic activity; we think all is peachy as long as the growth rate is on the positive side without realizing that there are many negatives associated with positive growth. Finally those negatives are being given the attention they are due for we are beginning to see that they amount to a substantial piece of the quality of life puzzle.

]]> http://harmonist.us/2009/12/the-reincarnation-of-buddhist-economics/comment-page-1/#comment-2843 KB das Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:49:10 +0000 http://harmonist.us/?p=3608#comment-2843 The reality is that Western Capitalism went belly-up last year and the USA and other countries dependent on American markets have thrown up a smoke screen to present the facade of having salvaged greed from the brink of destruction. American capitalism collapsed last year. It failed. Greed got exposed as a flimsy foundation for the building of a civilization. Truly, the time is coming when the whole world will be plunged into chaos and survival will be a local and regional challenge. How many of us are prepared? Well, I would say that Tripurari Maharaja and his settlement in the mountains of California would be a much better place to be when the bottom falls out of modern capitalism than in the bowels of a big city that will quickly become a nightmare theater. The END IS NEAR!!! Millions will starve to death. People will kill each other for their food. The reality is that Western Capitalism went belly-up last year and the USA and other countries dependent on American markets have thrown up a smoke screen to present the facade of having salvaged greed from the brink of destruction.
American capitalism collapsed last year. It failed.
Greed got exposed as a flimsy foundation for the building of a civilization.
Truly, the time is coming when the whole world will be plunged into chaos and survival will be a local and regional challenge.
How many of us are prepared?
Well, I would say that Tripurari Maharaja and his settlement in the mountains of California would be a much better place to be when the bottom falls out of modern capitalism than in the bowels of a big city that will quickly become a nightmare theater.
The END IS NEAR!!! Millions will starve to death. People will kill each other for their food.

]]>