Page 166 - Applied Buddhism

Economic globalisation is therefore in reality greedablisation.
Besides greed, the other characteristics of this economy is hatred
and delusion. The result of such an economy is negative impact on
human society such as a widening of income disparity in society,
destruction of the environment, ecological imbalance, wastage of
resources, and inequitable distribution of food. Many Buddhist
countries have fallen victims to greedabilisation whereby they
become economically dependent on others, and incapable of self-
sustenance. Eventually, the teachings of the Buddha is no longer
appreciated and the tasks of Dharma propagation becomes difficult.
Such an economy also erodes Buddhism from within. There
is a growing tendency amongst Buddhists to place emphasis on
grandeur rather than practice. More and more Buddhists are inclined
to judge the success of Buddhism by the majesty of the temples and
the height of the images, rather than the beneficial activities carried
out. People began to respect wealth and power rather than wisdom
and morality.
This is a great challenge to Buddhism. Lay Buddhists can be
innovative by seeking and experimenting with new alternatives to
the current economic system. The Islamic economy promoted by
Muslims is an example. There are many others who are promoting
ecological farming, organic planting, alternative medicines, and
campaigning for simple living.
In many countries, including Thailand, France and Malaysia,
there are Buddhists who are working towards establishing alternative
ways of living which are more in tune with the Buddha’s teachings.
Those with like-minded thinking are living simple life-styles
based on the teachings found in the Noble Eightfold Path. This is
important because an alternative lifestyle can only be effectively
154 Applied Buddhism
sustained if it is guided by a clear ideology based on the Dharma.
This is a task that lay Buddhists should be in the forefront. A living
example is the Buddhist New Village developed by the Kuching
Buddhist Society.
iv. Enriching culture
A major characteristic of cultural globalisation is the destruction
of local cultures leading to a single global culture. In most cases the
culprit is American culture. This phenomenon may be analysed at
two levels. At the refined level, monotheistic theology, Christian
thought, scientific orientation, concept of “survival of the fittest”,
and Western values and ethics are fast spreading to different parts of
the world with globalisation. After September 11, Islam suddenly
attracted world-wide attention. Islamic thought soon flowed into
various parts of the world. The current situation is such that the core
of global culture is led by monotheism. Buddhism has no place in
it at all.
At the masses level, Western cultural products such as music,
films, songs, dances, fashion, eating habits, consumerism, and
liberalism are rapidly influencing different parts of the world.
Such cultural influence serves Christianity well, which is closely
associated with Western culture, but is a disadvantage to oriental
religions such as Buddhism. For instance, in a society where
everyone adopts a Christian or Western name, one’s original Asian
or Buddhist name would sound a little out of place. In a society
where consumerism and sexual liberalism thrive, it would be a big
challenge to observe simple living and moral precepts advocated
by Buddhism.
How do Buddhists respond to these severe challenges? At the
Applied Buddhism 155