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28 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Social Welfare and the

Coronavirus Crisis:

A Buddhist Perspective

By Dr Tavivat Puntarigvivat

Dr Tavivat Puntarigvivat from Thailand received his B.A. (Economics)
from Thammasat University, M.A. (Philosophy) from University of Hawaii
under Rockefeller Fellowship, and Ph.D. (Religion and Society) from
Temple University, U.S.A. He was a member of “Subcommittee on Ethics” of
Thai Senate (2012–2014) and a member of “Committee on Reform of Thai
Buddhism” of Thai National Reform Council (2015). He was chairman
of “Comparative Religion” graduate program and was responsible for
initiating “Religion and Development” graduate program at Mahidol
University in Thailand. Dr. Tavivat Puntarigvivat is currently Director
of Institute of Research and Development at World Buddhist University
located in Bangkok, Thailand. His research on Thai Buddhist Social
Theory was published by the World Buddhist University in 2013 and Social
Theory on Religion by Mahidol University in 2019.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) schools and hospitals situated around its islands.
that started in Wuhan, China in late 2019 has caused The democratic government of Taiwan was quick
suffering to people all over the world. Human suffering to lockdown the territory while carefully managing
is the main concern and the first Noble Truth in the local economy. The Mahāyāna Buddhist ideal of
Buddhism. There are at least three kinds of suffering Bodhisattva (one who sacrifices oneself for the welfare
from a Buddhist perspective: physical, socio-political, of others) in Taiwan has inspired Buddhist social
and psychological. The success or failure of each networks to bring social welfare among people.
country to cope with this pandemic depends on these As a Buddhist country, Thailand has also developed a
following three factors: a sound health care system, good health care system, together with the Buddhist
quick and responsible decisions from governments, culture of mettā-karunā (loving-kindness and
and a love that encapsulates a sense of sharing and compassion) among its people, but unfortunately
cooperation among its people. Buddhist meditation has the Thai dictatorial government has locked down
played an important role, in times of crisis, in healing the country without any clear plan for managing
psychological suffering. unemployment, leaving a lot of people to face the
difficulties of a looming economic crisis.
Taiwan is a good example of a Buddhist response to
the problem. Buddhism in Taiwan is probably the South Korea is a half-Buddhist, half-Christian country.
strongest in Asia. Taiwan has the best Buddhist medical It has done a good job in dealing with the coronavirus