Capitalism Against Buddhism (Most Read)

StoicBuddhistAlex

Here is how buddhism is viewed in capitalism.

http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/markets/business/3658-buddha-bad-for-business.html

riverflow

Oh, its an Objectivist cult rag. Enough said.

buddhajunkie

The author thinks that Buddhism labels desires as "immoral." That's a very Christian misinterpretation.

Also, he blames Buddhism for the economic stagnation of Eastern economies, which is absurd. Socialism is probably mostly to blame.


Btw, this article was written in 2004.

vixthenomad

No, that's how Buddhism is viewed by the author of this particular article.

I've read a few more articles on this site and have come to the very scientific conclusion that it's mostly a load of old drivel.

minue622

It's very true that Buddha IS bad for business. Suppose everyone in the world got enlightened all at once suddenly. Market economy might still survive, but I do not think that maximization of profit wouldnt' have any sense in such a society, thus lead to a collapse of capitalism.

Cinorjer

The fact that along with dissing Buddhism the author took the time to extoll the virtues of Ayn Rand's followers tells me everything I need to know about the purpose of the article. So another snake hisses. Snakes always hiss.

andyZ

I should've stopped reading after this:

The problem isn't that Buddhist philosophy is explicitly anti-business. Worse, at root, it's anti-life.

Cinorjer

It's very true that Buddha IS bad for business. Suppose everyone in the world got enlightened all at once suddenly. Market economy might still survive, but I do not think that maximization of profit wouldnt' have any sense in such a society, thus lead to a collapse of capitalism.

People would still have to eat and raise families. Saying Buddhism is bad for business because it preaches against greed and overindulgence is like saying Buddhism is bad for crime because it preaches against killing and stealing. Buddhist countries of today with their high crime rate and even sexual slavery problem would tend to disagree that Buddhism is going to make much of a dent in how people live.

After all, Christianity is also dead set against greed and overindulgance and letting other people suffer because they don't have any money, and it sure ain't been a thorn in the businessman's side, has it?

Mountains

it's mostly a load of old drivel.

Yeah, old drivel is the worst. You have to get it while it's fresh. Fortunately there's no shortage of fresh drivel

vixthenomad

Yeah, old drivel is the worst. You have to get it while it's fresh. Fortunately there's no shortage of fresh drivel

"There is nothing new under the sun but there are lots of old things we don't know." - Ambrose Bierce

wondering

So the article is basically saying that Buddhism is at odds with profit making at the expense of others. I read somewhere a while back the the Dali Lama considered himself to be a Marxist, and thought quite disparagingly about capitalism. I am wondering how one can feel that capitalism's push to always compete for more money is even close to what the Buddha taught. Wasn't the Buddha a beggar? Just think of the taxes that Americans pay to the federal government. A large portion of that money is used to kill innocent civilians around the world. Didn't the Buddha teach that it was wrong to kill? And what about the the growing gap between the rich and poor in America? I wonder how Buddhists that follow the Buddha's teaching can participate in such a corrupt system. There must be a way to change the direction of capitalism's growing hegemony in the world.

DhammaDhatu

I read somewhere a while back the the Dali Lama considered himself to be a Marxist and thought quite disparagingly about capitalism.

sure

but the Dalai Lama says many things contrary to the Buddha

the teachings of the Buddha, whilst not promoting uninhibited laizee faire capitalism, fall more closely to capitalism than communism

for laypeople, the Buddha encouraged individual initiative & skill in accruing wealth to satisfactorily fulfil the needs of oneself & one's family

the Dalai Lama was the ruler of a feudal culture, which nurtured individual helplessness

the Buddha was not interested in such things

the Buddha wanted people to learn to help & look after themselves

the Buddha understood the relationship when employers (capital) & employees (labour)



In five ways should a employer minister to his employees as the Nadir:

(i) by assigning them work according to their ability,
(ii) by supplying them with food and with wages,
(iii) by tending them in sickness,
(iv) by sharing with them any delicacies,
(v) by granting them leave at times.

"The employees thus ministered to as the Nadir by their master show their compassion to him in five ways:

(i) they rise before him,
(ii) they go to sleep after him,
(iii) they take only what is given,
(iv) they perform their duties well,
(v) they uphold his good name and fame.

"The employees thus ministered to as the Nadir show their compassion towards him in these five ways. Thus is the Nadir covered by him and made safe and secure.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.31.0.nara.html

The wise and virtuous shine like a blazing fire.
He who acquires his wealth in harmless ways
like to a bee that honey gathers,
riches mount up for him
like ant hill's rapid growth.

With wealth acquired this way,
a layman fit for household life,
in portions four divides his wealth:
thus will he friendship win.

One portion for his wants he uses,
two portions on his business spends,
the fourth for times of need he keeps.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.31.0.nara.html

155. Those who in youth have not led the holy life, or have failed to acquire wealth, languish like old cranes in the pond without fish.

156. Those who in youth have not lead the holy life, or have failed to acquire wealth, lie sighing over the past, like worn out arrows (shot from) a bow.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/dhp.11.budd.html

Then Anathapindika the householder went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there the Blessed One said to him: "There are these four kinds of bliss that can be attained in the proper season, on the proper occasions, by a householder partaking of sensuality. Which four? The bliss of having [wealth], the bliss of [making use of] wealth, the bliss of debtlessness, the bliss of blamelessness.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.062.than.html

3. "To reside in a suitable locality, to have performed meritorious actions in the past, and to set oneself in the right direction — this is the highest blessing.

4. "Vast learning, skill in handicrafts, well grounded in discipline, and pleasant speech — this is the highest blessing.

5. "To support one's father and mother; to cherish one's wife and children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupations — this is the highest blessing.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.2.04.piya.html

buddhajunkie

Very interesting stuff, DD!

tmottes

@DhammaDhatu Thank you for sharing that information. Would you say that this ties into what is commonly titled "idiot compassion"?

DhammaDhatu

@tmottes Could you please clarify your question about "idiot compassion"? What exactly is the "this" you are refering to? Thanks

DhammaDhatu

to add:

So the article is basically saying that Buddhism is at odds with profit making at the expense of others.

I did not read the article but the Buddha did teach to not acquire profit in a manner that exploits or causes violence to others

I am wondering how one can feel that capitalism's push to always compete for more money is even close to what the Buddha taught.

Sure. To seek endless amounts of excessive wealth is unrelated to what the Buddha taught. The Buddha taught desires can be endless so it is best to define a limit & to use any excess to benefit others.

Wasn't the Buddha a beggar?

Yes. But this is irrelevent. The Buddha clearly distinguished between the life of a monk and the life of laypeople & ordinary society.

Just think of the taxes that Americans pay to the federal government.

This would accord with the teachings of the Buddha, who taught government should make provisions for the poor (i.e., redistribute wealth). Such action avoids social division, chaos, rebellion, etc.

A large portion of that money is used to kill innocent civilians around the world.

True but probably an exaggerated statement. Most taxation revenue would be spent on social infrastructure in the USA, such as roads, police, hospitals, schools, etc

And what about the growing gap between the rich and poor in America?

This is very big problem because it creates both an inhumane & problematic society, with more crime, more riots, anarchy, etc

This link has excellent information the growing gap between the rich and poor in America

http://www.businessinsider.com/facts-about-inequality-in-america-2011-11#

I wonder how Buddhists that follow the Buddha's teaching can participate in such a corrupt system. There must be a way to change the direction of capitalism's growing hegemony in the world.

Dhamma is the "Middle Way", which starts with taking care of yourself. Buddhists, even if they carry on a business & have workers, carry on their income earning activity in the best possible ethical manner. For the Buddha, "change" starts with the individual. For the Dalai Lama, change seems to start with politcal change. To live in the "corrupt system" is not too hard for Buddhists as there are generally ways to earn a living that are void of corruption. Imo, we should be careful to avoid extremes. The capitalist system creates jobs & goods for human needs. It has proven to work better than other systems. The USA is an extreme.

Americans today believe they have an inequity problem but non-Ameicans have generally regarded the USA to always be this way.

Regards

tmottes

@tmottes Could you please clarify your question about "idiot compassion"? What exactly is the "this" you are refering to? Thanks

the Buddha wanted people to learn to help & look after themselves

I was referring to people's abilities to help others help themselves, rather than fostering a dependence on others.

SimpleWitness

@DhammaDhatu

America IS the extreme of a capitalist economy. The typical American is against anything that remotely looks communist. Imo, American history is a pack of lies about how it was built economically in order to keep the American mind capitalist. It ranges anywhere from how the natives were dealt with, to the gold rush and how the orientals were dealt with. There is more but it would lead to a totally different premise.

However, China has dynasties, which indicate various tried and failed economic systems. Perhaps, setting all dictatorship aside, China is on to something with the communist in country, Capitalist in world trade approach. Idk, it just seems to make sense to me. If wrong, there is room for me to be corrected. Shrugs and laughs.

Metta

SimpleWitness

@tmottes Could you please clarify your question about "idiot compassion"? What exactly is the "this" you are refering to? Thanks

the Buddha wanted people to learn to help & look after themselves

I was referring to people's abilities to help others help themselves, rather than fostering a dependence on others.

@tmottes Could you please clarify your question about "idiot compassion"? What exactly is the "this" you are refering to? Thanks

the Buddha wanted people to learn to help & look after themselves

I was referring to people's abilities to help others help themselves, rather than fostering a dependence on others.

So, in essence, for example: idiot compassion is having sympathy and providing for the needy and able who can provide for their being and others. Where as, compassion is without sympathy and still shows or provides an opportunity to learn how to provide for their being and others. Is this correct, @tmottes?

tmottes

@SimpleWitness I think your rephrase is what I am saying; although, I am not sure of the role that sympathy plays. Basically, I feel that by fostering an environment where people aren't educated, encouraged, and supported to take control of their own destiny, we do them harm. This harm comes from their reliance on others for their livelihood. There will always be people who genuinely need others help and assistance (both temporary and permanent), and I am certainly not saying we should not help those people. I am saying that we have to employ wisdom about how we choose to help. Does our action result in empowering a person to maintain their livelihood or does it create a dependence/reliance on an external source for that livelihood. Does it foster an attitude of I can do this (either with or without the aid of my community:family, friends, etc) or an attitude of why doesn't somebody (government) help me out in this situation.

To put it another way, the buddha never said that we should shield ourselves from the suffering we encounter. We use that suffering to aid us in our escape from that very suffering in order that we might help others do the same. If we are relying on the government to support us, then are we in a position to help others?