Engaged Buddhism's Perspective on Tourism

In his article "To Go or Not To Go", a contribution to the forthcoming ECOT publication "Transforming Tourism/Re-forming Tourism", the Buddhist monk Sukthawee Suwannachairop looks at tourism from an Engaged Buddhist's perspective. In TourismWatch, we have reprinted a shortened version of his article in German translation. The author criticises tourism as entertainment which tends to create numbness. Individuals would become victims of the industry and end up incessantly asking for experiences that are more entertaining, more exclusive, more luxurious, and more exotic.

Buddhism, however, sees "tanha", desire or craving, as a one of the root causes of suffering. Though a layperson may not be able to live a life of a monk and wander quietly and at whatever speed he wishes, the possibility that leisure travel could be a complex experience that could have spiritual meaning for travellers shall not be disregarded. Conscientious travellers could gain venerable awareness of the diversity and commonality of human life when they encounter societies and people that are different from their own. Engaged Buddhists ask those who need to travel to consider their choices and be mindful when travelling, in order to create minimal impacts on the societies and the environment.