[Buddha-l] Wealth vs. compassion

[Jo]

There's a sort of merit system in capitalist wealth too--rich people feel
*entitled* to their wealth because, well, they think they are *superior* to
the poor, as circularly proven by their wealth. The poor,  if they vote
Republican, usually say, "they earned it, they are entitled to it", even
though stats indicate that most of them distinctly did not *earn* it,
especially in the sense of how the poor earn money. They either inherited
it, or got it by finagling, or illegally (for finagling, see Mitt Romney),
or in some other manner not based on what is usually called work. 

Good point about car drivers in developing countries. Traffic in Hanoi
doesn't stop for pedestrians, but Hanoians figured out a way to cross
streets anyway, usually as a quickly collected group, while weaving with the
traffic. So while at it, one is often standing in the middle of the street,
waiting for next break, with traffic flowing around on either side.

Didn't Jesus say that the poor will be with us always? I suspect the same of
inequality, because the more wealth one has the less one thinks about
personal ethics, thus the less thought one gives to mental cultivation
(unless it's for making more money), say mental cultivation especially aimed
at developing compassion, or even just fellow feeling. That would mean
sharing. As some research has indicated, the old rich stay rich because they
are cheap---they don't spend money.  The new rich spend it freely on status
competition until they go broke (see millionaire lottery winners), or
produce a 2d generation who, if anything is left, might strive to hang onto
it.

In the SEAsian Buddhist cultures (or maybe all of them?), the rich really do
believe they got that way because of superior merit--the only difference
from, say, US rich being that the former benefit from religious beliefs. Of
course, back in the day, some varieties of Protestant also thought they were
wealthy because specially chosen by god's mercy--see Max Weber on this one.
Today some evangelists also tell their flock that god will make them rich--
so the beat goes on.

Interesting how religion and money are inextricably linked.

Joanna





] On Behalf Of Christopher Fynn
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 3:41 AM


They needed to do research to figure out that? The wealthy can afford to be
selfish but poorer people often need to need to rely on each other - and so
generally have more empathy for those in a similar or worse situation than
themselves.

The part about the luxury car car drivers made me grimace - In developing
countries drivers of *any* kind of car rarely look out for pedestrians who,
because they are walking obviously belong to some lesser class and so don't
matter.

In Buddhist countries many seem to have the attitude that people with money
have more "merit". When a poor person gets to meet a rich one they will
always take a gift, perhaps hoping that some of this "merit"
will rub off on them. Of course they rarely get anything worth while in
return.

As I grow older I find inequity more and more intolerable - but there is
less and less time to do anything about it.  All beings want happiness - and
although the Buddha taught a way to end suffering, no one can really
practice Buddhism if they are struggling to put a roof over their heads or
to find the next meal.

- Chris







On 22/04/2012, Jo <jkirk at spro.net> wrote:
> http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/04/17-1
>
> Published on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 by Scientific American "How 
> Wealth Reduces Compassion"
> As riches grow, empathy for others seems to decline by Daisy Grewal
>
> Who is more likely to lie, cheat, and steal-the poor person or the rich
one?
> It's temping to think that the wealthier you are, the more likely you 
> are to act fairly. After all, if you already have enough for yourself, 
> it's easier to think about what others may need. But research suggests 
> the opposite is
> true: as people climb the social ladder, their compassionate feelings 
> towards other people decline. ....................[more in article]
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> buddha-l mailing list
> buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
> http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/buddha-l
>
_______________________________________________
buddha-l mailing list
buddha-l at mailman.swcp.com
http://mailman.swcp.com/mailman/listinfo/buddha-l