Foreword

All living creatures on earth are being threatened today by violence, terrorism, economic disparity, environmental degradation, and so-called religious intolerance or civilizational conflicts. All these problems are being created by human beings through the exploitation of negative emotions such as greed and hatred. Industrialization has enabled humanity to produce more commodities than people really need, which has necessitated the creation of markets and the exploitation of greed through indoctrination and brainwashing.

People are taught to compare and compete, so that ignorance and greed escalate endlessly, reducing individuals to mere consuming machines. We have lost the power of discernment and cannot differentiate between need and greed. Economic imperialists occupy the human mind, and human misery has been globalized. The disparity between unlimited desires and limited resources has not only made the economic infrastructure unsustainable but has also damaged our environment and ecosystems almost beyond repair. Gandhi’s statement that “mother earth can well satisfy every living creature on it, but it can never satisfy even one person’s greed,” has proved true. As wealth has become the only value for far too many human beings, the principle of might makes right has become the order of the day—even more so than in primitive times. Human destiny seems almost hopeless.

In spite of this, Ajarn Sulak, a distinguished practitioner and engaged Buddhist, remains optimistic, continuing to make every effort to save the world based on the teachings of the Buddha. A sustainable economy based on right livelihood, peaceful societies through moral governance, and development from the bottom up (Sarvodaya) are some of the fundamental remedies and alternatives he proposes to reverse the present situation.

I greatly appreciate his right effort for putting his right view in this wonderful book, so that fellow human beings will come to share his right understanding. I trust this book will immensely benefit all its readers. Sarvamangalam.

Samdhong Rinpoche

Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister), Tibetan Government-in-Exile

Dharamsala, India

20th February 2009