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 Part One is from a previously unpublished translation, by Bruce Evans, of a talk given in the Thai language entitled "The Making of a Democracy," given to a group of Thai people in New York in 1992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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