Buddhist but obsessed with money?

flyingsaucersarereal · October 23, 2014

I am not a expert on Buddhism and don't claim to be but I find it very strange that so many Thai people are Buddhist but then have a money driven attitude.

My understanding of Buddhism is that the Buddha gave up all material things in his search for enlightenment.

If this is the case why are so many Thai people concerned with wealth and status? Isn't this in direct conflict with there religion?

Thanks

benalibina · October 23, 2014

Is your avatar a reflection of your humbleness ?

rideride · October 23, 2014

Firstly I would be careful to attribute all Thai traits to Buddism.
Secondly I donot agree that Thais are more money driven than others though they are more status driven, which may explain things a bit.
In terms of Buddism wealth is "ok" when attained without harming others etc.

Also a certain Hedonism in an Epicurian sense is compatible with Buddhist teaching but I guess most Thais simply leave it to another life to start working on the reducing of suffering

David48 · October 23, 2014

Flyingsaucersarereal ... may I ask, where are you living ATM?

OP penned @ 1.04am

It's 3.20am in Thailand ATM and you are still kicking around the Forum.

Get some sleep man ... has to be good for your health.

.

geronimo · October 23, 2014

Thailand is the land of contradictions and this is one of them!

I Like Thai · October 23, 2014

Yes amazing isn't it

As we all know

People from Christian countries follow their religion without fail

People from Jewish countries follow their religion without fail

People from Muslim countries follow their religion without fail

etc

Why can't Thais be as perfect as the rest of us ?

Edited October 23, 2014 by I Like Thai

flyingsaucersarereal · October 23, 2014

I think all religion is a joke

AYJAYDEE · October 23, 2014

then why did you single out thais and buddhism? thai basher?

benalibina · October 23, 2014

Hmmmm....Thai visa forum its called...if remember correctly......

geronimo · October 23, 2014

Religions were created to control the people. Buddhism is a philosophy and that sets it apart from the others.

AYJAYDEE · October 23, 2014

doesnt mean it cant be compared to others. try again

nottocus · October 23, 2014

Buddhist in name only.

soundman · October 23, 2014

Moved to Buddhism forum for serious discussion.

Moved.

kannot · October 23, 2014

u forgot us atheists

kannot · October 23, 2014

Thai forum plonker

kannot · October 23, 2014

Its no different just presented differently still offering "eternal life"

Mosha · October 23, 2014

The church I was dragged to as a kid considered the well off to be better christians.

A1Str8 · October 24, 2014

They call themselves Buddhists because that's what they have been conditioned to do, say and believe in.

Being obsessed with money, that's the result of social conditioning as well. So, no it's not contradictory. Just robots that act on demand and do not even know the intent behind their actions.

Aussieroaming · October 24, 2014

Even Bhuddists have to eat, live in a house, dress themselves, live a normal life and that all requires money. Jesus kicked the money changers out of the temple and that didn't stop the Vatican becoming a mega business.

Life continues to turn and people make a life. I believe the notion of making honest money that has no adverse affect on others is considered acceptable.

rockyysdt · October 24, 2014

Quote: I am not a expert on Buddhism and don't claim to be but I find it very strange that so many Thai people are Buddhist but then have a money driven attitude.

My understanding of Buddhism is that the Buddha gave up all material things in his search for enlightenment.

If this is the case why are so many Thai people concerned with wealth and status? Isn't this in direct conflict with there religion?

There are two things we are talking about here.

Firstly there is the teaching of Buddhism.
Secondly there is the conditioning each of us has to overcome to follow the teaching.

In order to follow the teaching, each of us must overcome our individual aversions, greed, & delusion.

Overcoming conditioning is not easy, and is perhaps one of the biggest stumbling blocks to ones path.

People say they can change.

My personal experience and awareness of many others suggests that even simple change is almost impossible.

My environment is littered with examples.

I personally know three who experienced heart attacks and life changing surgery (open chest triple by pass).

For the first year or two they adopted ideal lifestyles.

Lost considerabe weight, performed regular daily exercise, adopted excellent diets, quit smoking and reduced alcohol intake.

Five to seven years later, they crept back to their former selves.

Massively over weight, lots of coca cola & krispie kreem donuts, 15 - 25 kgs overweight, no exercise, waistline considerably larger than chest measurement, resumed smoking, sendentary lifestyle.

Even after facing death, slowly their old habits crept back. A mixture of delusion, aversion & greed.

Just because someone professes to be Buddhist, it doesn't mean that they suddenly become expert or excel in their practice.

Acceptance and knowlege of the path, without which one can't even begin, is the first step.

The next step is implementing this practice. A huge task given ones uphill battle with greed, aversion & delusion.

Everyone is capable of changing.

In Buddhism, we are taught of the Triple Gem.

The Buddha or Awakened One for inspiration.
The Dharma or his teaching, &
The Sangha or community.

Collectively the Triple Gem is a way we can attempt to overcome our conditioning.

Thais, like anyone else must do daily battle with their conditioning.

Out of interest saucer, I was hoping to learn where your lifes beliefs are taking you in life?

Edited October 24, 2014 by rockyysdt

BudRight · October 25, 2014

In Thailand Buddhism is the religion endorsed by the State. The are legal penalties for disrespecting Buddhist teachings. You cannot say that about any 'Christian country,' except perhaps the Vatican. In countries where Islam is endorsed by the state, it is followed strictly indeed, at least in public. I am quite sure even Israel has freedom of religion.

If Thailand wants to be perfect like the rest of us they would either segregate religious practices from politics and government or they should be better Buddhists.

camerata · October 26, 2014

In Thailand it's against the law to "insult" any religion, not just Buddhism.

VincentRJ · October 27, 2014

Not really! Atheism is not a creation. However, theism is a creation, ie. the belief in the existence of a god or gods, specifically of a creator who intervenes in the universe.

Atheism is simply a non-acceptance of such a belief, on the basis of inadequate or unconvincing evidence.

Those who are 'theists' and who therefore have a belief in the existence of God, sometimes assume that the atheist must also have a belief, a belief in the non-existence of God, and accuse the atheist of being a fool. How can one have a belief in the non-existence of something. That would require an exploration of every nook and cranny in the entire universe, which is obviously impossible.

Sometimes dictionaries add to the confusion by defining atheism as a 'belief' (that God does not exist). Such a definition is incorrect in my view. Atheism is not a belief, but a lack of belief. There is a distinction.

KarenBravo · October 27, 2014

Thailand is a Buddhist country as England is a Christian country.

rhythmworx · October 27, 2014

A country is a country.

It's people choose religion, England is a muslim country, where you get your facts from I don't know.

Briggsy · October 27, 2014

This is not a developed nation with safety nets and an accessible legal system dispensing justice for all.

For Thais:-

If you are a wealthy citizen here, you are, to a large extent, above the law.

If you have no money and are getting by on a pittance, then you run the risk of being a victim of anybody from the group in my previous sentence.

This is one reason.

Another reason is if you are knocking around with Thais from the lowest stratum of society, rural peasant families, hookers, etc., then they are far more likely to be sitting around talking about money than actually be working to earn it.

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