products, such as herbal medicines, as bun-niyom (merit preferable), meaning that
they do not count just on monetary gain as profits. They sell cheaper than the
market prices for all necessities in their own shops spreading in major cities in
Thailand. The agri-nature foundation trains the general public to the practice of
sufficient economy model in line with the King’s initiative. Herbal medicine,
integration farming, organic farming, and more are the topics of their training. Mor
Keaw is a leader in health care. He gives advice on Thai traditional medicines and
coordinates centers of volunteers on alternative healthcare providers, seed collec-
tion, and databases for local biogenetics, for instance. The sufficient agriculture club
gives advice to people on how to be successful organic farmers, provides seeds free
of charge, and networks with people who do sufficient agriculture in 77 provinces.
By collaboration and networking, Thais will make exemplary endeavors to be one
of the leaders in organic and healthy food that could sustain the entire world.
6.7 Conclusion..........................................
At the end of this chapter, I cannot help thinking of a good friend of mine, Dr.
Woraphat Phucharoen, about the title of his recent book,“Lighting the lantern is
better than cursing the dark.”This is what I would like to remind the reader...that
living out of the system is possible. The dominant development paradigm can
change if we change our worldview. Development for self-reliance and sustain-
ability does not only apply to Thailand or other developing countries, developed
countries can also learn from the developing. One does not need to be a Buddhist to
have compassion and loving kindness to others. Compassion, loving kindness,
rejoice with other’s success, and equanimity can be learned and trained.
Self-reflexivity is needed to see our own greed, lust, anger, want, and needs. Stop
and think before you consume. Know that everything is interrelated. What goes
around comes around so easily in a globalized world fueled by the Internet and
social media. Monetary benefits made on the suffering of others are not sustainable
happiness. Jon Jandai, a man who dropped out from a university because he thought
it does not teach him how to live a sustainable life, is now a teacher of me who has a
Ph.D. I learned a lot from him and from other Punpun staff members. This is a proof
that a well-educated or civilized person does not need to be a Western person, a
university degree graduate, or an avid reader. It is about whether one possesses high
morality or not.
Ifirmly believe that the multiplicity paradigm provides a theoretical perspective
for inner wisdom-growth and healthy environment, and that King Bhumibol’s
sufficient economy scheme is doable. I sincerely hope that there will be more green
hubs, centers of learning, more organic farms, more co-ops, and more and more
young people interested in conserving seeds and Thai wisdoms. It is not too late to
roll up your sleeves and do the right thing!
6.6 What I Learned from Punpun 101