Buddhism and Buddhist Business Practices

The 21st century global business environment is more diverse and interconnected than ever before. As organizations continue to expand their global reach, business professionals often find themselves having to navigate challenging cultural and religious terrain, which they may not be prepared for. While it is impossible for someone to learn the intricacies of all cultures and religions throughout the world, one can seek to learn about some of the more prominent cultures and religions of the world – particularly those they have a high likelihood of engaging with at some point in his or her business career. This paper examines Buddhism, a prevalent religion throughout many parts of the world, and discusses how its culture and beliefs are manifested through Buddhist business practices. Particular focus is placed on business in Thailand, the country with the highest percentage of Buddhists. The purpose of this paper is to provide business professionals with a basic understanding of the history of Buddhism, an overview of the major beliefs of Buddhists, and to present information that will assist business professionals in successfully navigating intercultural affairs when doing business with Buddhists in Thailand or around the world.