Buddhist Integration to Solve Corruption Problems

Abstract

Corruption is a misconduct that covers the body, speech and mind, especially the mind, which is the most important because it is the origin of the intention that leads to corruption. Corruption or embezzlement is a form of crime, which often occurs from the collusion of two parties to seek benefits from a third party.

          The root cause of corruption lies in internal factors, namely the three roots of evil: greed (desire), anger (anger) and delusion (delusion). In particular, greed drives people to seek what they want through improper means when they cannot obtain it honestly. It also occurs from not choosing to associate with good people, those who have virtue, who can show them the disadvantages of corruption and the virtues of honesty.

          The approach to solving and preventing corruption is to instill honesty in the heart as a foundation, using the following Buddhist principles: the 2 Right Views (right view of cause and effect), the 2 Most Beneficial Principles (remembering and clear knowledge), the 2 Lokapāla Dhammas (shame and fear of sin), the 3 Honest Principles (bodily honesty, verbal honesty, mental honesty), the 3 Contentment Principles (being satisfied with what one has), the 4 Foundations (being diligent, avoiding evil, doing good, and maintaining goodness), the 4 Lay Dhammas (principles of conduct for householders), the 7 Aparihaniya Dhammas (principles of non-deterioration) and the Ratchawasadi Dhamma, which are principles concerning self-control for civil servants, in order to avoid misconduct, especially corruption, and to advise them to abstain from all vices.