A Business Model Based on Morality

Confucius believed that, although people want to be rich and/or famous, benevolence and high moral standards are more important. Many business models exist in our current society. Some stress innovation, ways to compete, utilizing a variety of channels, studying minute details, execution efficiency, proper organization, quickness in handling, etc. The purpose of these models is to quickly build wealth in the face of steep competition. In such environments, can people with high moral standards be successful? The answer is “yes.”

There are four exemplary industrialists in Japan. Kazuo Inamori, founder of the Kyocera Group and current CEO of Japan Airlines, is one of them. Inamori started from scratch and established two Fortune 500 companies—the Kyocera Group and the second largest telecommunications company in Japan, “KDDI.” For 47 years since its founding, the Kyocera Group has never lost money, an astounding achievement.

When asked about the secret of his success, Inamori has an incredibly simple answer. He believes that the most important thing in life is to ask the question: “Why are we here?” His answer is: “We are here to improve our character. We want to be a morally better person than when we were born, and there is no other purpose. In order to understand why we are here, we need to seek a righteous path.” He believes that there is no difference between how to conduct ourselves in our daily lives and how to conduct a business.

Inamori's idea is rooted in the Eastern traditional culture, especially the Buddhist culture. The philosophical views of Confucius and Buddha are the basis of his wisdom. He believes that building a business is done by man, which is why man's character and moral standards are very important. If the man does not have high moral standards, he cannot build a good business. Hence, he must improve his character in order for his business to advance. Therefore, the secret to success is to improve one's character.

Inamori was 27 when he founded the Kyocera Group. He didn't have any experience at the time and did not know how to proceed. He decided to follow his parents and teachers' advice regarding the importance of honesty, humility, trust, gratitude, sincerity, tolerance, patience, integrity, justice, respect, being considerate, industrious, frugal, enduring hardship, not holding grudges or jealousy, remembering that a disadvantage may turn out to be an advantage, etc. These concepts are all basic moral standards. He finds answers to all problems based on whether they are right or wrong, good or evil. In short, his judgement is based entirely on his conscience. He led his company to success by taking a righteous path.

The ancients believed that life, death, riches, and the social status one can reach depended on fate. The foundation of life is being just and moral. Acquired fortune is a measure of one's moral conduct. The ability to accumulate riches is the result of being morally good. While acting in a just and morally correct manner can't guarantee riches in this life, morally bad people do invite poverty and disaster into their lives.

Wisdom Gained from Cultivation to Operate a Business

Practitioners live in everyday society while following the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. They implement these principles in their daily lives and gain wisdom from Falun Dafa.

One practitioner who was forced to stay away from home to avoid being persecuted was once extremely poor and could not afford clothes for an entire year. In the winter, he had to sleep on the cold floor at night in an empty room. With faith in Dafa however, he opened an on-line store with other practitioners. The initial start up was difficult since they had no experience or funding. Because they were all practitioners, they decided to solve the problems through improving xinxing. They never argued with customers, even if the customers were wrong. That is, they believed in a path of “Wealth with Virtue” (Essentials for Further Advancement). Their situation gradually improved.

Based on the economic situation and customers' shopping psychology, they planned to launch their own brand. This seemed almost impossible because they had no experience, financial support, or technical background. Nonetheless, they did not give up and continued to make sample products to ship to customers. Gradually they earned the trust of their customers, who preferred them to inexpensive, well-established products. Meanwhile, they kept learning in this field and made solid progress. Their annual income has exceeded one million yuan per year, which corrected people's notions that Dafa disciples are poor, thus validating the Fa.

Another practitioner is a chairman of a company. Because of practising Falun Dafa, she was able to rescue a company that was on the brink of closing. Her method was simple—looking within and being kind to employees and others.

In Zhuan Falun, Master said, “What is the Buddha Fa, then? The most fundamental characteristic of this universe, Zhen-Shan-Ren, is the highest manifestation of the Buddha Fa. It is the most fundamental Buddha Fa.” (Lecture One)

This practitioner followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and treated her workplace as a cultivation environment. During the past several years, whenever she had difficulty, she continued looking inward and always reminded herself to be considerate, patient, and tolerant.

When her company built a 3,000-square-metre (32,000-square-foot) building, the construction company insisted on giving her money and even wanted to give her a house as a gift. She refused and said that as a practitioner, she should not take advantage of others. The construction company owner was very moved and said, “My older sister is also a practitioner, and I sincerely respect you. I have been working in the construction business for many years and only Falun Gong practitioners are not selfish.”

Although the company has only about 300 employees, it was very difficult to manage. Very often there were employees who wanted to take advantage of the company. This practitioner knew this situation and she handled it based on the Fa. Instead of becoming angry, she compassionately talked with those employees to gain their understanding. The employees told her, “You are a practitioner and we all benefit from this.” She is in charge of finance in the company and has never given herself extra money in the past more than ten years.

Through practicing Falun Dafa, her mind has elevated, and the company has operated better and better. Their product quality is better than that of their competitors. Customers know she is a practitioner and respect her. They feel confident about working with her because they don't have to worry about this or that. Her work has also earned her honours and awards. When the news media came to interview her, she not only introduced them to the company and her work, but also mentioned that her achievement has been a result of her practising Falun Dafa.

If one acts according to moral standards and always tries to be a better person, he or she may appear to have material loss for the moment. However, more people will benefit from it, and this person will be rewarded too. Because practitioners have righteous belief, their minds will elevate and they will improve, thus gaining wisdom in their daily lives. Plus, practitioners are honest and reliable. All these will result in a healthy business operation.