Efficacy of Buddhist doctrine in order to achieve the first goal, “No Poverty”; the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN).

This presentation discusses the applicability of Buddhist teachings in achieving the first Sustainable Development Goal: No Poverty. It presents one perspective on how religion can contribute to this goal.

### Buddhist Teachings and Their Relevance to Eradicating Poverty

1. **Compassion and Generosity (Dāna)**:
- **Principle**: Buddhism emphasizes the practice of dāna, or generosity, which involves giving without expecting anything in return.
- **Application**: Encouraging acts of generosity can lead to the redistribution of resources within communities. Wealthy individuals and communities are encouraged to support those in need, thereby reducing poverty and promoting social welfare.

2. **Right Livelihood (Sammā-ājīva)**:
- **Principle**: The Noble Eightfold Path includes the concept of right livelihood, which means earning a living in a way that does not harm others and is ethically positive.
- **Application**: Promoting ethical businesses and careers can lead to sustainable economic practices that uplift communities and provide fair wages and working conditions, contributing to poverty alleviation.

3. **Mindfulness and Contentment (Santuṭṭhi)**:
- **Principle**: Buddhism teaches the value of contentment and mindfulness, encouraging individuals to find happiness in simplicity and to be mindful of their consumption.
- **Application**: Reducing overconsumption and fostering a culture of contentment can lead to more equitable distribution of resources and lessen the economic pressures that contribute to poverty.

4. **Community and Interdependence (Sangha and Interconnectedness)**:
- **Principle**: The concept of Sangha, or community, emphasizes the importance of communal support and interdependence.
- **Application**: Building strong, supportive communities can provide social safety nets and collective resources that help individuals in times of need, thereby reducing poverty and fostering resilience.

5. **Education and Empowerment**:
- **Principle**: Buddhism values the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.
- **Application**: Promoting education and skill development can empower individuals to improve their economic situations and break the cycle of poverty. Buddhist institutions can play a role in providing educational opportunities and vocational training.

6. **Ethical Conduct (Sīla)**:
- **Principle**: Ethical conduct, or sīla, involves adhering to moral precepts that guide behavior in ways that promote harmony and reduce harm.
- **Application**: Encouraging ethical behavior in economic activities can lead to fairer practices and reduce exploitation, which is often a root cause of poverty.

By integrating these Buddhist principles into policies and community practices, it is possible to create a compassionate, ethical, and supportive environment that address

1. Efficacy of Buddhist doctrine in order to achieve the first goal,
“No Poverty”; the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN).
NO POVERTY & BUDDHISM
Miss Lau Lee Hua

2. Efficacy of Buddhist doctrine in order to achieve the first goal, “No
Poverty”; the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN).
No poverty & Buddhism

3. Efficacy of Buddhist doctrine in order to achieve the first goal,
“No Poverty”; the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN).
Title of the Research

4. Introduction
TheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)setby
theUnitedNations(UN)aimtoaddressglobal
challengesandachieveamoresustainablefuture
forall.Amongthesegoals,"NoPoverty"stands
asacritical objective.Thispresentation
explorestheefficacyofBuddhistdoctrinein
realizing thisgoal.Withitsemphasis on
compassion, generosity, and alleviating
suffering, Buddhist teachings offervaluable
insights andpractices thatcancontribute
significantly topovertyeradication efforts
outlinedintheSDGs.Thispresentation delves
intohowBuddhistprinciplesandpracticescan
beharnessedtoachievetheambitiousgoalof

5. Problem Statement
Theproblemofthisresearchistounderstandthecausesofpovertyandto
developeffectivestrategiesforreducingoreliminatingitthroughBuddhist
perspectivewhichareabletoachievethefirstgoalofSDGs.Thisincludes
identifyingthefactorsthatcontributetopoverty,suchaslackofaccessto
educationandjobopportunities,aswellasunderstandingtheimpactofpoverty
onindividuals,families,andcommunities.

6. Research Questions & Objectives
1.ToexaminetheapplicabilityofBuddhist
teachingsonrightlivelihoodtothe
developmentandpromotionoffairtradeand
ethicalconsumerismpractices.
2.ToexplorethepotentialforBuddhismtoaidin
buildingresilienceandcapacityinindividuals
livinginpovertythroughitsteachingsand
practices.
3.To examine how Buddhist teachings on
impermanence can inform and shape poverty
alleviation efforts in the face of economic and
environmental uncertainty
1.HowcanBuddhistteachingsonrightlivelihood
beappliedtofairtradeandethical
consumerism?
2.WhatistheroleofBuddhisminbuilding
resilienceandcapacityofindividualslivingin
poverty?
3.HowcanBuddhistteachingsonimpermanence
beappliedtopovertyalleviationeffortsinthe
faceofeconomicandenvironmental
uncertainty?

7. Research Methodology and Data Collections methods
Methodology-mixedmethod(qualitativeandquantitative)
DataCollectionsmethods
•Literaturereview
•CasestudiesInterviews
•Comparativeanalysis
•Theoreticalframework.

8. 2
nd
Phase

9. Introduction to Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs)
TheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)areasetof17
globalgoalsestablishedbytheUnitedNationsin2015asa
blueprinttoachieveabetterandmoresustainablefuturefor
all.TheybuildupontheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals
(MDGs)andcoverawiderangeofinterconnectedsocial,
economic,andenvironmentalissues.TheSDGsaimtoaddress
theworld'smostpressingchallengesandcreateaframework
forglobalcooperationandaction.

10. 17 SDGs addressing various global
challenges.

11. Interlinkages
between social,
economic, and
environmental
aspects of
development.

12. Goal
•End poverty in all its
forms and ensure social
protection for the
vulnerable.
Priority action
•Improving access to
sustainable livelihoods.
•Providing universal
access to basic social
services.
•Empowering people
living in poverty and their
organizations.

13. SDG 1 Targets and Indicators in Sri
Lanka
1.Eradicate extreme poverty by 2030, defined as living on less than $1.25 a day.
2.Halve the proportion of people living in poverty by 2030, addressing all dimensions of
poverty.
3.Implement social protection systems by 2030, ensuring coverage for the poor and
vulnerable.
4.Ensure equal rights to economic resources, services, and property by 2030,
particularly for the poor and vulnerable.
5.Build resilience among the poor and vulnerable by 2030, reducing exposure to climate-
related events and other shocks

14. Status of SDG 1 in Sri Lanka
Challenges and Progress
•Declining trend in poverty rates from 2016 to 2019.
•Economic challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic.
•Rising poverty rates and inequality in recent years.
•Strategies for poverty alleviation and economic
recovery.

15. 3
rd
Phase

16. practical roadmap for
addressing life's
challenges with wisdom
and compassion, fostering
personal and societal
development.
•The philosophy of
Buddhism emphasizes the
interconnectedness of
personal, societal, and
economic well-being.
•Buddhist teachings
provide practical
solutions to navigate
life's complexities,
promoting ethical
conduct, mindfulness, and
compassion.

17. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on
Development
Various academic disciplines, including economics,
sociology, political science, and environmental studies,
offer diverse interpretations of development.
Economics often focuses on material progress, while
sociology emphasizes social justice and equity.
Political science examines development within the framework
of governance and institutions, while environmental studies
advocate for sustainable development.

18. Applicability of
Buddhist Teaching
for Sustainable
Development
•Buddhism promotes a balanced
and sustainable approach to
development, considering
human welfare, environmental
harmony, and spiritual
fulfillment.
•The VyaggapajjaSutta
outlines factors for
development in this world,
including persistent effort,
mindfulness, good
friendship, and balanced
livelihood.
•Buddhism emphasizes the
interconnectedness of
material and spiritual

19. Core Principles of Buddhist Material and Spiritual
Development
Material Development Spiritual Development
Interconnectedness of
Material and Spiritual
•Buddhism acknowledges basic
needs: food, shelter,
healthcare.
•Advancements and improvements
in life conditions.
•Encourages responsible
engagement with the world.
•Balanced life between
material sufficiency and
spiritual realization.
•Involves wisdom,
compassion, ethical
conduct, and mindfulness.
•Practices: meditation,
mindfulness, ethical
living.
•Aim: Transform the mind,
foster loving-kindness,
compassion, and wisdom.
•Both aspects are
interdependent.
•Balanced, ethical
approach supports
spiritual growth.
•Excessive attachment to
material possessions
cautioned against.

20. Buddhist Perspective on Poverty
•Insufficiency of
essential
commodities.
•Hindrance to mental
development and
enlightenment.
•Poverty is both a
physical and
societal issue.
•Definition of
Poverty in
Buddhism
•Poverty leads to
bodily and mental
suffering.
•Debt increases
suffering, can lead
to unwholesome
conduct.
•Economic activities
to alleviate
suffering are
encouraged.
•Root Causes
and Solutions
•Promote honest work
for all.
•Encourage trade,
commerce, organized
capital.
•Address root causes
of poverty for a
stable, moral
society.
•Buddhist
Approach to
Addressing
Poverty

21. Buddhist Approach to Economic Ethics
for Rulers
•Importance of ethical governance.
•Ethical leadership fosters a just and
harmonious society.
•Wealth distribution and economic
development crucial.
•Ethical
Responsibilities of
Rulers
•Provide righteous protection and treatment
for all.
•Distribute wealth to the poor.
•Ensure basic capital and infrastructure
for economic stability.
•Role of a Just
Ruler
•Basic capital for self -employment.
•Provision of food and essential needs.
•Viable fiscal policy and taxation system
for societal enrichment.
•Implementation of
Ethical Economic
Practices

22. 4
th
Phase

23. Buddhist Sustainable Economic Philosophy
Current Economic
Imbalance
Production vs.
consumption
imbalance.
Issues:
economic-social
development
gap, income
disparities,
environmental
degradation.
Buddhist Perspective
Addressing
boundless human
consumption.
Insights into
economic
decision-making.
Promoting
responsible
consumption and
sustainable
economy.
Development Through
Buddhist Lens
Emphasis on
material and
spiritual
dimensions.
Recommendation
s for sustainable
economic
development.

24. Philosophical
Foundations of
Buddhist Economics
•Hedonic Happiness vs. Genuine
Well-being:
•Mainstream economics vs.
Buddhist economics.
•Hedonic happiness vs. holistic
well-being.
•Role of Desire:
•Auto-projection mechanism and
consumerism.
•Four Noble Truths: desire as
the root cause of suffering.
•Levels of Happiness in Buddhism:
•Kāmasukhavs. nirodha
samāpattisukha.
•Transformation of desires for
genuine well-being.

25. Approaches Rooted in Buddhist
Philosophy
Acquisition of Wealth
•Ethical earning
and righteous
acquisition.
•Principles for
sustainable
production
Conservation of
Wealth
•Addressing
boundless
human
consumption.
•Insights into
economic
decision-making.
•Promoting
responsible
consumption and
sustainable
economy.
Consumption of
Wealth
•Balanced
living and
mindful
consumption.
•Generosity
and ethical
consumption
practices

26. 5
th
Phase

27. Recommendations and
Suggestions
Education and Awareness
Public Policy Integration
Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR)
Mindful Consumption Practices
Financial Literacy Programs

28. Implementation Strategies
Interfaith Collaboration
Research and Development
Community Engagement
International Collaboration
Monitoring and Evaluation

29. Bibliography
•Primary Sources
All Buddhist Doctrines are taken from PTS [Pali Text Society]
•Secondary Sources
•Tertiary Sources