Top 9 Quotes by Sulak Sivaraksa

True development must be in harmony with the needs of people and the rhythms of the natural world.

True development must be in harmony with the needs of people and the rhythms of the natural world.

People, Needs, Development

Capitalism brainwashes us through advertising and the skewing of priorities .... We need economies that promote human values, seek to limit suffering, and are committed to democratic principles, rather than ones dependent on global trade and a blind commitment to neo-liberal economic policies.

Sulak Sivaraksa

Commitment, Priorities, Suffering

It is not a Buddhist approach to say that if everyone practiced Buddhism, the world would be a better place. Wars and oppression begin from this kind of thinking.

Sulak Sivaraksa

Buddhist, War, Buddhism

Sulak Sivaraksa (1992). “Seeds of Peace: A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society”

Radical transformation of society requires personal and spiritual change first or at least simultaneously

Sulak Sivaraksa

God, Spiritual, Society

Sulak Sivaraksa (1999). “Global Healing: Essays and Interviews on Structural Violence, Social Development and Spiritual Transformation”, Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development

Buddhism is not concerned just with private destiny, but with the lives and consciousness of all beingsAny attempt to understand Buddhism apart from its social dimension is fundamentally a mistake. Until Western Buddhists understand this, their embrace of Buddhism will not help very much in the efforts to bring about meaningful and positive social change, or even in their struggle to transform their ego.

Sulak Sivaraksa

Meaningful, Buddhist, Mistake

People seeking to live spiritually must be concerned with their social and physical environment.

Sulak Sivaraksa

God, People, Spirituality

Sulak Sivaraksa (1999). “Global Healing: Essays and Interviews on Structural Violence, Social Development and Spiritual Transformation”, Thai Inter-Religious Commission for Development

The use of market values and technology as a social barometer has devalued the worth of individuals, rendered irrelevant the quality of their lives, and stunted their creativity.

Sulak Sivaraksa

Creativity, Technology, Quality

Sulak Sivaraksa (1992). “Seeds of Peace: A Buddhist Vision for Renewing Society”

I make a distinction between Buddhism with a Capital 'B' and buddhism with a small 'b'. Sri Lanka has the former, in which the state uses Buddhism as an instrument of power, so there are even Buddhists monks who say the Tamils should be eliminated. Thai Buddhists are not perfect either. Some Thai Buddhist monks have compromised with the kind and possess cars and other luxuries. In many Buddhist countries, the emphasis is on being goody-goody, which is not good enough. I am for buddhism with a small 'b' which is non-violent, practical and aims to eliminate the cause of suffering.

Sulak Sivaraksa

Country, Buddhist, Humility