DIGITAL-ERA ALMSGIVING, SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY, AND BUDDHISM: A CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE
คำสำคัญ:
Sufficiency Economy, Mindful Giving, Technological Adaptation, Ethical Digital Engagement, Sustainable Happinessบทคัดย่อ
This article offers a critical analysis of the evolving practice of almsgiving (dāna) in the digital age through the interpretive lens of core Buddhist teachings and the philosophical framework of the Sufficiency Economy. As digital technologies facilitate online merit-making, virtual religious rituals, and widespread dissemination of Dhamma, new forms of engagement emerge alongside ethical tensions. These include the commodification of giving, the transformation of dāna into transactional behavior, and the dilution of spiritual intentionality. Drawing upon the Buddhist understanding of cetanā (intention) as articulated in the Anguttara Nikāya (8:36), the study argues that the spiritual value of giving hinges not on the material aspect but on the mindful, compassionate motivation behind the act.
To further contextualize these challenges, the article integrates the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, as developed by Payutto (1994), which emphasizes moderation, ethical resilience, and mindful consumption. This integrated perspective leads to the proposal of a concept termed “mindful digital dāna,” which balances digital participation with Buddhist ethical principles. Rather than rejecting digitalization, the article contends that digital religious practices can foster sustainable happiness and spiritual continuity if guided by the principles of right intention (sammā saṅkappa), generosity (dāna pāramī), and ethical awareness.
By offering this theoretical contribution, the article aims to reframe the discourse on Buddhist practice in contemporary society and demonstrate how ancient wisdom can be meaningfully adapted to the digital era without losing its ethical core. It ultimately advocates for a spiritually conscious mode of digital participation that nurtures ethical digital communities and sustains the transformative essence of Buddhist giving.
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