Skip to content

Buddhist Economics

Loving Kindness in Economic and Social Actions

    A paper by Laszlo Zsolnai and Juewei Shi on “Loving Kindness in Economic and Social Actions” was published in International Journal of Ethics and Systems in 2026 June. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-10-2025-0567 The paper investigates the concept of mettā (“loving kindness”) within the historical context of Buddhism and explores its potential as a principle for economic and social actions in today’s world. The paper develops a new definition of genuine altruism in which altruism means “helping others in… Read More »Loving Kindness in Economic and Social Actions

    Steps to Ecological Civilization

      On October 28, 2025 Laszlo Zsolnai gave a lecture on “Steps to Ecological Civilization: The Contribution of Buddhism” at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature in Kyoto. In his presentation, Laszlo Zsolnai emphasized the role of the self in making actions. He argues that serving nature, society, and future generations economic agents should de-emphasize the self and develop compassion for the suffering all human and non-human beings. The noble ethos of Buddhism can help… Read More »Steps to Ecological Civilization

      Economic Conceptions and Business Models of Christianity and Buddhism

        The paper by Gabor Kovacs and Laszlo Zsolnai on “Economic Conceptions and Business Models of Christianity and Buddhism” was published in Business & Society Review (March 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.70000) The paper interprets and comparatively analyzes the economic conceptions of Christianity and Buddhism and their representative business models. The paper contributes to the business and society literature by showing the relevance and applicability of Christian and Buddhist business models in the Anthropocene era. The authors argue that… Read More »Economic Conceptions and Business Models of Christianity and Buddhism

        Why we need radically new business models?

          The CONSCIOUS CONSULTING GROUP made a podcast and a related video with Laszlo Zsolnai on the need of radically new business models.   I argued that the ethical foundation of modern-day business is flawed. To be fruitful for society business should follow other ethical principles than materialistic egoism. Business ethics as a discipline studies the preconditions and possibilities for a more ethical functioning of business. The major problems of the Anthropocene (climate change, biodiversity loss,… Read More »Why we need radically new business models?

          Buddhism and the Economy (in Hungarian)

            A Tan Kapuja Buddhista Főiskola “Buddhizmus és gazdaság” címmel új, hat részes sorozatot rendez 2021. május és május 13. között. Az előadásokat a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem Gazdaságetikai Központjának munkatársai, Zsolnai László, egyetemi tanár, Kovács Gábor egyetemi adjunktus, és Ócsai András egyetemi adjunktus tartják. Az előadássorozat áttekintést nyújt a a buddhizmus és gazdaság problematikájáról, és megmutatja azokat a gazdasági modelleket, amelyek a buddhista spirituális és etikai értékeket valósítják meg buddhista és nem-buddhista kulturális környezetben. Az egyes… Read More »Buddhism and the Economy (in Hungarian)

            Studies in Buddhist Economics, Management, and Policy

              Palgrave has a book series entitled “Studies in Buddhist Economics, Management, and Policy”. Professors Clair Brown (UC Berkeley) and Laszlo Zsolnai (Corvinus University of Budapest) serve as editors of the series. This book series is devoted to exploring and presenting new developments in contemplative inquiry related to Buddhist Economics, Well-Being, Social Transformation, Mindful Organizations, and Ecological Worldview in management and policy contexts. This particular combination of fields represents a unique nexus for reflection and action… Read More »Studies in Buddhist Economics, Management, and Policy

              Hungarian Buddhists

                Gabor Kovacs & Laszlo Zsolnai: Hungarian Buddhists. A Tan Kapuja Buddhista Főiskola, Budapest, 2020.   This Hungarian book publishes in-depth interviews with leading Hungarian Buddhist scholars and practioners including Pal Farkas (The Gate Dharma Buddhist College), Lajos Pressing (Árya Maitreya Mandala Buddhist Community), Laszlo Mireisz (The Gate Dharma Buddhist Church of Hungary), Antal Dobosy (Zen Buddhist Community), Gabor Karsai (The Gate Dharma Buddhist College), the late Peter Galambos (tantric and dzogcsen master), Laszlo Takacs (The… Read More »Hungarian Buddhists

                Buddhist economics – an enlightened approach to the dismal science

                  Laszlo Zsolnai ‘Buddhist economics – an enlightened approach to the dismal science.’ Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion, 2019, vol.16, no. 2, pp. 231-233 Clair Brown is a well-established economics professor at UC Berkeley. Her new book provides a fresh, new insight into the field of Buddhist economics. What is the real novelty of Clair Brown’s book is that it connects Buddhist economic thought with the latest results of Western economics and presents a coherent and robust vision… Read More »Buddhist economics – an enlightened approach to the dismal science

                  Why Do We Need Contemplative Aproaches in Economics and Management?

                    Laszlo Zsolnai, Gabor Kovacs, & Andras Ocsai ‘Why Do We Need Contemplative Aproaches in Economics and Management?’ Society and Economy, 2018, vol.40, no. 4, pp. 493-496 Contemplative traditions (including meditation) are one of the oldest traditions of humanity. It has been present in all major religions in one way or another.  Meditation is at the heart of contemplative traditions. It can be defined in various ways. Walsh and Shapiro (2006, 228-229) state that mediation refers to “a family of self-regulation… Read More »Why Do We Need Contemplative Aproaches in Economics and Management?

                    Buddhist Economics – An Overview

                      Clair Brown, & Laszlo Zsolnai ‘Buddhist Economics – An Overview.’ Society and Economy, 2018, vol.40, no. 4, pp. 497-513 Over the centuries, Buddhist monks applied economic models in the operations of their monasteries to make them sustainable while also observing Buddhist principles. The large variety of economic practices observed demonstrate the creativity of monastics in acquiring the resources to support their large monasteries in a way that was viewed as compatible with Buddhist ethics embodied in the Noble… Read More »Buddhist Economics – An Overview