A View on Buddhism

[rudyh01]

Dear Lotus,

From a Buddhist point of view this is somewhat silly really; money is dead material, it is our exaggerated attachment to it and what it stands for that is the real problem.
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Love & clear light,
Rudy

[Tara's-child]

1/2 our planet, so sad.. yes, though money may be "dead" it could help them...
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When I give, I give myself.-Walt Whitman

[Compassion First]

One would think that there are more significant issues to consider than money. Yes, yes, of course, money is the root of all evil and all that. But at the end of the day it is nothing. In this age of electronic media, the concept of "emptiness" in regard to money is even easier to understand than most things. The empty concept of money gets deposited (or so we are told) into "accounts" which also are without substance, and do not really exist in a real sense, and we transfer this non-existent money to our creditors in numerous ways, virtually none of which involve ever seeing the phantom "money"....

Money is one of the least apparent of phenomenon, and therefore is not high on my list of attachments, or my list of things which must be understood as empty......it's pretty darn empty to begin with.

If we didn't use it, life would be a little more complicated, because we'd have to know complicated exchange rates for virtually all media. As it stands, to many people, it is just a way to keep tally of things. Do we not count our mantras and prayers on rosary beads (malas), or by ringing bells or spinning hand drums? While these actions are more ceremonial, and pleasant, they are no less empty than counting money.

As far as what money can do for the world's unfortunate people, yes, there would be benefits, and I am as charitable as possible, since what money I attain has no particular meaning to me. This is not the fault of money, however, and I feel that you are becoming angry at the pot, Lotus, because there isn't enough soup to go around.

Money is merely the pot, it is the heart of mankind, and the need to develop charity and generosity that is the soup. It is the soup that is at fault, my friend, and not the pot.
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If I do not go to Hell to help them, who will? -- Ksitigarbha

[Tara's-child]

beautiful post, Tom-la...
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When I give, I give myself.-Walt Whitman

[Compassion First]

Lotus,

I have read the webpage you have linked here.

It is a very interesting concept, from an economists' point of view.

The impression I get however, is that what the problem really is, is people who make their livings off of the handling and exchange of money, worldwide, without producing anything of use to their fellow man. I have avoided these "money changers" all of my life, and do not have any public debt -- not even a mortgage. Nor do I have any massive hoards of cash in my home or in the bank. So, I suppose I have been contemplating these ideas all of my life.

However, I consider these things to be delusions, because the real issue at the heart of the happiness of mankind is:

It would be far, far better, if one were to decrease one's wants, and keep one's needs to a bare minimum. By decreasing one's attachments and grasping in this way, one automatically becomes more happy. If one has few needs, they are more easily met, and when one's needs are met, one is materially satisfied. Then one can concentrate upon more important things. This might include working towards compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment, or more mundane things like pursuing your livelihood in more creative ways, that could bring you the ability to take better care of your family, give to charity, or pay off any debts you have.

The article does point out many of the problems with the monetary system indeed. But would it not be better (and easier) to change ourselves than to change the world??

I use as an example the Nation of Cambodia, where the Khmer Rouge effectively destroyed Buddhism (with the help of US bombs) during the 1970's. This nation was one of the saddest places on earth until the 1990's, when the Government reinstated Buddhism as the national religion, and began rebuilding monasteries and temples. The people now are much happier and content. But yet their material wealth is about the same as it was before.

Calm your mind, Lotus, as this issue seems to pervade your thoughts completely. There are much more important, and grave, things to worry about...........
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If I do not go to Hell to help them, who will? -- Ksitigarbha

[Tara's-child]

Compassion First wrote: