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Buddhist embracing technology

silentmusicsilentmusic
edited March 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I was just wondering what everyones thoughts on Buddhists embracing technology.

I am thinking of changing career, possibly to a computer programmer. Can this be a conflict with a Buddhist way of life.

As long as they do not spend hours a day endulging in technology, do Buddhists watch television, listen to music, play video games, surf the internet (I know we are all on this fourm).

Comments

  • NomaDBuddhaNomaDBuddha Scalpel wielder :) Bucharest Veteran
    edited February 2010
    silentmusic wrote: »
    I was just wondering what everyones thoughts on Buddhists embracing technology.

    I am thinking of changing career, possibly to a computer programmer. Can this be a conflict with a Buddhist way of life.

    As long as they do not spend hours a day endulging in technology, do Buddhists watch television, listen to music, play video games, surf the internet (I know we are all on this fourm).

    Yeah, I'm a buddhist... nope, I don't indulge in technology... yeah, I watch Television... yeah, I listen to music...and yeah, i play video games and surf the internet:D.
    From my own perspective, there is no conflict between programming (what programs do you use btw?). Meaning that, if you do something good and useful for the vast majority of people, there is no conflict in this. But, if you program viruses, or other stuff that might produce suffering...then...you get the idea.
  • MatSaltedMatSalted
    edited February 2010
    silentmusic wrote: »
    I was just wondering what everyones thoughts on Buddhists embracing technology.

    My thoughts are that at base of course there is no negative issue here. Technology and TV can be simply tools, but they can also be snares used by Babylon to entrap and distract us and mollify us into good serfs;)
  • AnupassīAnupassī
    edited February 2010
    In fact, there are a number of monks who use the Internet. Just not for entertainment. Technology is perfectly fine, but in the Patimokkha (the Theravadin monastic code), monks are instructed not to listen to music or participate in worldly entertainment, as it's a distraction which can create bothersome thought-patterns when one is meditating. Personally, I don't watch television, play video games, or listen to music (aside from, in the last case, monastic chants and a musical recitation of a passage from the Bardo Thodol). They snare one up in time-consuming, worthless amusements. What we're here to do is understand. Besides which, there is a bliss and ease of mind infinitely beyond the distractions of electronic and musical amusements. It's that of contentment, of freedom, and of peace: it's the peace of the Deathless.
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited February 2010
    You may find this link of interest:

    Encouraging Constructive Technology
    by Venerable P A Payutto

    :)
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited March 2010
    I find television to be not only a distraction, but a destruction - to my inner peace. I do (obviously) use a computer. In fact, I make part of my living on the computer doing graphics work. I watch movies (not violent ones generally) and I listen to music. I understand the concept that entertainment could distract one from one's path, but I can't imagine life without Mozart.

    Mtns
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