World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 973

Principles of Buddhist Management, Economy and Social Realm for Promoting Peace
- Prof. Dr. Yajneshwar S. Shastri.
Buddhism has its own principles in the fields of management, economy and social realm. But the fundamental question is whether age old principles of Buddhism are applicable in the age
of technology, globalization and industrialization? For this question, some kind of positive answer can be given from the Buddhist perspective. Buddhist principles may not be completely applicable in modern times in all fields, but certainly we can work out ways in which we can apply the basic ideas that underlies those procedures and principles to establish healthy and peaceful atmosphere.
In the area of Business management, administration and resource management Buddhism has its own unique management theory and practice, which has evolved over a long period of time. As early as Buddha's time, the Buddhist Sangha community has had a well developed administrative system.
Over the time, the system endured numerous changes and evolved sophisticated methods of management and leadership. The Lord Buddha, commenting on the three refuges in the Avatamsakasutra states that "Taking refuge in the Sangha means one should make Sangha a well-administered and harmonious community for all sentient beings". From this statement of Buddha, it can be seen that Buddhist Sangha communities were organizations which excelled in management skills.
The Lord Buddha's approach to management is very surprising. After Enlightenment, the Lord Buddha started teaching Dharma. The five Bhikshus became the members of the first Sangha- group. In time, the community grew into a congregation that included the seven groups of disciples. i.e. the Bhikshus, the Bhikshunis, the Siksammanas, the Saraamaneras, the Sramanerikas, the Upasakas, and the Upasikas. Among them, about 1250 monastics were usually at the Buddha's side. How the Buddha did manage such a huge group of people? He managed it very skillfully applying certain managerial principles, such as: i] equality, 2] decentralized leadership, 3] shared responsibility and support,4] mutual respect and harmony, 5] communication and interaction and 61 democratic governing.
1] Equality: The Buddha declared that all sentient beings have Buddha-nature [Buddhatva] and that all human beings are inherently equal under the Dharma. There is no caste, creed, race and gender discrimination.
The Lord Buddha never considered himself a 'leader', rather he let the
924