Financial Management Based on the Principles of Diṭṭhadhammikattha for Promoting Personal Financial Literacy

Abstract

This research article aims to: (1) analyze the principle of Diṭṭhadhammikattha as a framework for personal financial management, and (2) synthesize the principle of Diṭṭhadhammikattha for developing contemporary approaches to promoting financial literacy. The study employs a documentary research methodology in conjunction with content analysis and philosophical interpretation. The primary sources of data include the Pāli Canon and relevant commentarial texts. Secondary sources consist of academic documents and scholarly articles on Buddhist economics, financial literacy, and contemporary financial behavior. Data analysis was conducted by categorizing key and sub-themes, followed by a systematic synthesis to integrate Buddhist principles with financial management concepts within the context of the contemporary economy.
The findings reveal that Diṭṭhadhammikattha functions as an integrated framework for personal financial management encompassing both economic and ethical dimensions. The four constituent principles–Uṭṭhānasampadā (diligent income generation), Ārakkhasampadā (protection and accumulation of wealth), Kalyāṇamittatā (supportive social networks), and Samajīvitā (balanced and moderate consumption)–collectively explain the structure of financial behavior in a comprehensive manner. These principles address financial conduct from earning income through honest means, preserving and enhancing wealth, regulating consumption responsibly, to learning financial practices through social networks. The analysis further indicates that these principles align closely with the core components of financial literacy, including knowledge, skills, behavior, and self-regulation. In particular, Kalyāṇamittatā plays a significant role as social capital that helps reduce excessive consumption and fosters long-term financial discipline. The integration of Diṭṭhadhammikattha with contemporary financial management concepts contributes to elevating financial literacy from theoretical awareness to practical application in everyday life. The study demonstrates that personal financial management grounded in this Buddhist principle extends beyond the technical allocation of resources and represents an ethical framework rooted in Buddhist economics. Such a framework effectively guides financial behavior in modern economic contexts while promoting both financial stability and moral balance. Consequently, this research offers theoretical value by expanding the body of knowledge on personal finance within the domain of Buddhist economics.