World of Philosophy

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

Page 975

1] Doctrinal unity in views and explanations to ensure common views and understanding.2] Moral unity in observing the precepts, to achieve equality for all under the rules.3) Economic unity in community of goods to effect fair distribution of economic interests.4] Mental unity in belief to provide mutual support in cultivation of spirituality. 5] Oral unity in speech to nurture compassion and love. 6] Physical unity in behavior to assure non-violence and harmonious living.
5] Communication and interaction :The Lord Buddha was great visionary person. He periodically convened all members of the Sangha community on the eighth and fourteenth or fifteenth of each month to recite the Precepts. Such gathering provided an excellent opportunity for interaction among the members and a way of fostering shared values for productive and harmonious living.
6] Democratic Governing : The ' Karma Assembly' was established to govern monastic life. It was the highest authority in governing monastic life. The goal of the system was to promote a democratic way of life. On the fifteenth of each month, meeting of 'Karma Assembly' was convened and members of the Assembly reviewed any violation of the precepts that occurred during the month, determined the appropriate discipline for the offender and decided how it would be carried out. There were two types of Karma cases: 1) cases involving disputes and violations and 2] cases not involving disputes and violations. The former dealt with disputes and disagreements among monastics or violations of precepts in which right or wrong had to be determined. The later dealt with the appropriateness of the monastics' daily behavior and their proper guidance or admission of a new member into the Sangha community. The Karma Assembly provided a formal and rigorous mechanism to promote fellowship, harmony and mutual support of the Sangha community. It enabled community to become an ideal moral society where the four all-embracing virtues of giving, affectionate speech, beneficial deeds and team work were always practiced.
In Buddhist Tripitakas we find discussions related to management in several places, especially in 'Lotus Sutra' and 'Amitabha Sutra'. Amitabha Buddha and Avalokiteshwara were not only expert in ecological management but also experts in human resource management. Avalokiteshwara is a remarkable expert in management. He/She manages people by reliving their suffering, bestowing upon them virtues and wisdom and satisfying all their needs. He/She transforms himself/herself into thirty-two different identities to facilitate his/her edification of people. The chapter on 'Universal Gate' mentions that "Depending on what identity is most conducive to the deliverance of a sentient being, Avalokiteshwara will transform himself/herself into that image to elucidate the Dharma". With his/her great compassion, he/she relieves people from suffering and brings them joy:
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