translated and compiled by Bruce Evans
Part 1: The Making of Democracy
The
Making of Democracy
Defining
democracy
Liberty
Democracy
as full realization of human potential
Rights and
duties
Liberty
and responsibility
Inner and
outer freedom
Liberty
based on wisdom is the flag of democracy
Government
by Dhamma
To demand
democracy is to demand development
Liberty,
Equality, and Fraternity
Lack of
unity in American democracy
No liberty or
equality without fraternity
The moment
of truth
Equality
and liberty flourish on unity
The six
conditions for fraternal living
Part 2
On
Peace
The
International Year in Need of Peace
The
origin of our problems
The
undeveloped condition of humanity
Freedom
as the guarantee of peace and happiness
Proper
assessment of science and technology
The loss
of the way to freedom
The one
solution
Human
development as the prerequisite for peace
Part 3
A Buddhist Solution for the Twenty-First Century
The Buddhadhamma Foundation has expressed a wish to compile a small number of my talks and writings on social matters into one book, entitled Buddhist Solutions for the Twenty-first Century. A similar title, "A Buddhist Solution for the Twenty-first Century," was previously used for an address written by me for the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, 1993, and that talk is included as Part Three of this collection. In addition, there is another talk, originally entitled "Buddhism and Peace," given in Bangkok in 1986 at the International Conference on Higher Education and the Promotion of Peace, previously published by the Buddhadhamma Foundation as Freedom, Individual and Social. It is here printed as Part Two of the book, entitled "On Peace." Part One is from a previously unpublished translation, by Bruce Evans, of a talk given in the Thai language entitled "The Making of a Democracy," given to a group of Thai people in New York in 1992 shortly after the May political riots in Bangkok.
I would like to offer my appreciation to the Buddhadhamma Foundation for undertaking the work, and hope that it will prove to be of some help to those interested in new applications of Buddhist teachings, new perspectives on politics, and in social well-being in general. May some of the ideas presented herein take root and help to clarify some of the confusion that presently envelops our society.
P. A. Payutto
Bangkok, December, 1994
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