We must be direct when talking about economic matters. We must also hit hard at the roots of the present crisis - which is a false view.
The Buddha teaches that ditthi, meaning the view or concept, determines everything else that follows. If our view is wrong, or micchaditthi, our deeds will be wrong, leading us straight to disaster.
But if we begin with the right view, the deeds that follow will be righteous, thus leading us to well-being. This is why the Buddha specifies that the right view precedes everything else in the Noble Eightfold Path, the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.
The present global economy is wrong because it springs from a wrong and fragmented view which enshrines money as the ultimate goal. In search of big money, we do not hesitate to oppress, exploit, or destroy just about anyone and anything that we can turn into money. It does not matter if we do it at the expense of our own health, our humanity, families, communities, cultures, the environment, other people or other countries. For only making money counts.
Money obtained in this fashion is sheer greed. The world which is driven by money is therefore full of conflicts and destruction. So much so that the whole world has become exhausted and distressed. Nowadays, humanity is sinking deeper into suffering, lassitude and worry because life is full of uncertainties. Economic situations are unpredicatable and highly fluctuating. Our human nerves cannot cope with this kind of intense stress, leading to neurosis, psychological problems, suicide, drug addiction and a myriad of other social violence. They are the results of an economic system which is obsessed with money.
This is a deficient system. Money should be the tool to enable people, society and the environment to live in harmony. It should not be the cause of crisis as it is now. The world must rethink its view on money and make it a tool to support goodness. If we want to change ditthi, or the fundamental view of economic development, we must change the way we measure it.
It is a truth is that the behaviour will turn out the way it is measured. This truth applies to both objects and life forms.
Take education. The method of examination will determine the behaviour of the students. If the university entrance examination measures one's ability to memorise, then the education of the students nationwide will be geared towards memorisation. Students, therefore, will be weak in thinking and doing.
Electrons, for example, can be both particles and wave energy at the same time. They will appear as particles if measured so. And as waves if measured as such.
The measurement, then, determines the behaviour.
Nowadays, we measure progress by money. People's behaviour, then, is governed by money-making motives. That is why GDP, or gross domestic product, is used as an indicator of a country's economic growth.
To change the concept of development, we must change its indicator. GDH must be more important than GDP.
H is happiness or well-being.
Happiness is more all-encompassing than P, which is production only. It incorporates mutual caring, loving families, strong communities, healthy environment, vibrant culture and self-reliant economy.
We might call it an economic indicator Thai-style.
There were a group of American tourists who complained about the traffic jams. When asked why they kept coming back every year, they answered because the Thais are happy people.
We Thais used to be happy people. We are called the Land of Smiles. People who are happy generally want to make others happy too, which in turn, makes them happier. Happiness depends on how we view the world and on our attitudes in life. It does not come from money alone.
If we compete on GDP standards, we can never win against the Unites States because the scale of its economy is mammoth. Bigger things pull in smaller ones. If we play their game by their rules, we will end up doomed and penniless.
It might be another matter altogether if we use the happiness indicator. We might already be happier than the Americans. Or we can make ourselves happier. That is, if we measure happiness on:
- mutual caring and generosity
- family togetherness
- strong communities
- cultural confidence
- healthy environment
- self-sufficient economy