The 2nd World Buddhist Forum
Essay for the “Spiritual Environment Protection in Buddhism” Sub-Forum

English Version of the Abstract and Outline of

The importance of protecting the spiritual environment admist the global financial disaster ─ facing crisis with compassion and wisdom

TITLE : “The Importance of Protecting Spiritual Environment admist the Global Financial Disaster – Facing Crisis with Compassion and Wisdom”

AUTHOR :
Mr. Leon Ei-min Liu

ORGANIZATION:

Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Foundation

KEY WORDS :

Financial Tsunami

Capitalist Civilization

Greednomic

Spiritual Environment Protection(SEP) in Buddhism

Master Sheng Yen’s Rules for SEP

Cyclic System of DDM’s SEP

The Six Ethics of Mind Value Chain

Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)

Philanthrocapitalism

Compassionate Leadership / Leaders

ABSTRACT:
The "financial storm and tsunami" that started in the US in 2007 has led to a global economic recession. For now, the "tsunami" has not subsided and we are still assailed by waves after waves of problems. There is even a possibility of a global economic depression. Countries around the world are facing the greatest challenge posed to the human race in the twenty first century.The world is in turmoil and people are not at peace. The livelihood of many people is threatened in an unprecedented manner. The extent of human suffering has reached a critical point. How do we deal with the situation and surmount the trial of hardship?Facing this unavoidable common fate of the human race, each of us must introspect ourselves. In addition, families, schools, neighborhoods, enterprises, the whole society and nation must work together and make use of what we call protecting the spiritual environment in Buddhism - the ideas and methods of compassion and wisdom to face both favorable or unfavorable circumstances. This will enable us to stay calm and be courageous in time of trial. People may thus overcome their insecurity, fear, despair, dejection, grudge, and even their disappointment and hatred towards the society.The positive thing about the current crisis is that the dark side of capitalism - an economic system of greed, may also be deeply examined. In fact, the insight of "protecting the spiritual environment" may even help improve the system.We can say that the ongoing crisis is an adverse condition that may lead to eventual advances. If we can accept and face the problem positively, and deal with it in the best possible manner, the crisis can be turned into an opportunity for the human race to better itself, and to bring about a pure land on earth.

OUTLINE of FULL TEXT:

THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF FINANCIAL TSUNAMI

2. COLLECTIVE KARMA : FROM THE BUDDHIST PERSPECTIVE

2.1 Impermanance and evil karma

2.2 Three vexations of human nature

2.3 A song of lament for the civilization of capitalism ?

2.4 A reflection of collective karma

3. BUDDHIST SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (SEP): SHENG YEN’S RULES

3.1 The concepts and rules of Master Sheng Yen’s SEP

3.2 Five keys to mind: the fivefold spiritual protection

3.3 The impetus for implementing Sheng Yen’s rules for SEP

3.4 The practice of Sheng Yen’s rules for SEP via the “six ethics of mind” social movement

4. FACING UP THE FINANCIAL TSUNAMI CRISIS WITH SEP

4.1 Application of Sheng Yen’s rules for SEP

4.2 Cultivating good causes and conditions

4.3 Unconditioned Compassion

4.4 Compassionate Leadership

5. CONCLUSION

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HANDOUT
Cyclic System of Sheng Yen’s Spiritual Environment Protection

2. DDM’s “Six Ethics of Mind” Value Chain

3. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

4. Compassionate Leadership: The Diamond Quadrant of Public Servant-Leaders’ Characteristics