Buddhist Views on Poverty

Buddhism is a nontheistic religion or philosophy that encompasses a variety of traditions,

beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to Gautama Buddha,

commonly known as The Buddha. Based off of the teachings of the Buddha, we can understand

that followers of this religion view poverty and wealth in different ways. There are several

teachings and recommended in Buddhism such as refraining to take the life of other beings,

avoiding stealing, false speech, sensual misconduct, intoxication and heedlessness. Also,

followers are recommended not to take food at inappropriate times, abstain from dancing,

singing, music, and entertainment, and using items to adorn or beautify a person. Based off of

these rules, we can assume that wealth in the buddhist religion, is slightly frowned upon, while

poverty can be seen as bringing oneself closer to their religious goal. As for a Buddhist who does

have a vast amount of wealth, the buddhism religion expects lots of charity to come from that

one individual, and also for that individual to distance themselves from materialistic goods.

According to the religion, excessive wealth and an extravagant lifestyle can become a source of

attachment, and can create a fear of loss and ceaseless knowledge.

In 2010, a study was researched by the CIA that was based off of regions that had the

most prominent Buddhism rates and compared those rates to the amount of poverty in that

region. In China, an estimate of 102,000,00 people followed the buddhist religion and it was

found that 6.1% of Chinas population fell below the national poverty line. Also, in Japan, an

estimate of 8,965,00 people followed buddhism while 16% of people fell below the national

poverty line. In India, where the religion started, an estimate of 7,000,000 people follow
buddhism, while 29.8% of the population fell below the national poverty line. As you can see,

the numbers that apply to the amount of buddhism followers in that particular country or region

can have a significant impact on how the poverty rate falls, due to the buddhist beliefs on how

less is more, religious followers are the vast majority of those in poverty. Because Buddhism had

originated in Asia, the rates of where the religion are highest can factor into where poverty rates

are highest. Looking into more western civilizations, the way Buddhism rates correlate with

poverty line rates are not as prominent, due to the lack of Buddhist followers .

As said in the Dhammapada, a collection of sayings in verse form said by the Buddha,

He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled, immoderate in his food, idle,

and weak, mara (the temper) will certainly overthrow him, as a wind throws down a weak tree.

He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well controlled, moderate in his food,

faithful and strong, him Mara will certainly not overthrow, any more than the wind throws down

a strong mountain This basically translates that a man who does not limit himself to food and

pleasure will be taken over by greed and anger, while a man who is faithful and does limit

himself, will be rewarded with control and satisfaction, basically refraining from materialistic

things.

Looking to a spectrum away from Buddhism, other religions such as christianity, there is

a comparison between materialistic views. According to Thomas Kempis, a Canon regular,

Some have Me in their mouths, but little in their hearts. There are others who, being enlightened

in their understanding and purified in their affection, always breathe after things eternal, are
unwilling to hear of earthly things, and grieve to be subject to the necessities of nature; and such

as these perceive what the Spirit of Truth speaketh in them. For it teacheth them to despise the

things of the earth and to love heavenly things; to disregard the world, and all the day and night

to aspire after heaven. Which translates to people looking to gain insight through materialistic

goods but will not look at nature and the things they can learn through through the world. As you

can see, both religions are very comparable in views toward materialistic goods. Buddhism,

especially, is more focused on poverty and how one person can be more grateful and closer to

their spirituality through a disdain of materialistic wealth, and how in the buddhist religion, less

is seen as more.

"Buddhism vs Christianity similarities, Differences." Buddhism vs Christianity Similarities Differences.

N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2015.

"Definition of Buddhism in English:." Buddhism: Definition of Buddhism in Oxford Dictionary

(American English) (US). N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2015."

A Basic Buddhism Guide: Buddhist Ethics." A Basic Buddhism Guide: Buddhist Ethics. N.p., n.d.

Web. 04 Oct. 2015.

Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2015."Poverty

Overview."

Poverty Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.

Buddhists." Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project RSS. N.p., 02 Apr. 2015. Web. 29

Sept. 2015.\
 Individual Report - Wealth & Poverty

2 4 6

Understand Context x
Understand Argument x
Analyze Evidence x
1 2 3

Select and use evidence x

Grammar and Style x

Comments:
Im not sure how this fits into the context of the big topic your group is
researching or what the argument is.

Total Grade 24/40 - not revised