What would the world be like if we were all Buddhists?

Question

If you ask me, our desire for material objects is what has gotten Mankind in trouble over and over again.

Answer 1

The world would be lost.

But I do agree that we strive far too much for material objects in my country (the US of A)

Answer 2

The theory behind Buddhism is really beautiful, and in a lot of ways, makes wonderful logical sense. The Buddhists believe that it is our attachment to worldly objects and desires that cause all the suffering in the world. If we are no longer attached to power, money, sex, etc, then we can see the world clearly and truly be happy. Love and relationships would be so much more satisfying and real. There would be no more lying or deceit.

It really is an idealistic world, and a world far more beautiful than what the Abrahamic religions talk about.

Answer 3

I take it you have never lived in a Buddhist country. Saying Buddhists have no desire for material objects is like saying Christians have no desire for material objects or Hindus or Muslims or Jews.

Monks have no possessions to speak of, their robes and rice pots not withstanding, and live off the handouts of the Buddhists around them that do have possessions.

The world would be a better place if everyone simply adhered to the peaceful teachings of their religious founders. You want a better world? Just follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Sorry to burst your dream world, but Buddhism isn't any better than any other religion.

Answer 4

Y'know, as a Buddhist, I think it's arrogant for you Occidental-hegemonists to assume that we're all perfect wonderful people. I have met plenty of ******* at my temple.

If you think the world would be a wonderful place if we all studied the dharma, then you have missed the point. Buddhism teaches that life is suffering and that we are all trapped in samsara -- the cycle of life, death and rebirth -- because we simply can't get it right during our lifetimes.

That's right, we are here on Earth because we've made a lot of mistakes and committed a lot of bad karma.

So what would the world look like if we were all Buddhist? Have you ever thought to look at the countries with predominantly Buddhist populations? Sri Lanka is being torn by inter-ethnic strife. Camodia obliterated a third of its population thanks to the Khmer Rouge. Thailand is hedonistic as all get out. Tibet is poor as dirt.

Frankly, the world would be screwed up regardless of what religion we all were (or weren't, for you orthodox atheists in the house).

ADDENDUM for processdude: Did you know that physicians are 6 times more likely to be Buddhist than the general population?
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/172/story_17227_1.html

ADDENDUM for Musicman: Your answer was great. Big props to you!

Answer 5

That is one facet.

Another is the desire for power over others.

Still another is the desire for prestige--invisible, worthless esteem in the eyes of others who will also turn to dust.

To answer your question, though: If we were all Buddhists, about 1% would practice the religion while the other 99% would spew its tenets, etc., and refuse to do what the religion suggests people do to lead them to nonattachment.

In other words, religions do not automatically solve the fact that people are prone to profound misunderstandings and imperfect practice of things they allegedly believe.

Do not make the mistake of thinking that Buddhism will solve the world's problems. Mass Buddhism will just be more of the same.

Anyway, Jesus saves.

Good luck with your crusade.

--

Somebody please tell Gary--whose answer is right below mine--that an overpopulation of cows would result if the world was comprised of all HINDUS.

Sheesh.

MOREOVER, Siddhartha Gautama, aka Buddha, was not fat. He was about 6'3" and slim and fit.

Answer 6

It depends on if the world was all good buddhists. I think it would definitely be a better place though. And yes, you can generally trace suffering to desire and aversion. Unless it is coming from somebody who is willfully inflicting suffering on you. In that case it is his desire or aversion that is bringing suffering. I've read deeply into buddhism and it is really a lifestyle.

Answer 7

Most likely there would be no science -- no modern medicine, for example. Buddhist cultures tend to be extremely resigned in the face of sickness and death, and have hardly been powerhouses of human development. That's fallen to the west, where monotheism desacralized the cosmos and opened the way for the development of science. Perhaps you think science is all crap -- well, I welcome you to use whiskey instead of novocaine the next time you go to the dentist.

Answer 8

We would all be happier, healthier, stronger, calmer, and there would be much less warfare. There would be no more drunk driving, no more smoking, no more drug dealers and abusers, there would be more animals. Also there would be so much less anger and frustration. But personally, I do not agree with the idea that the entire world should believe the exact same thing. It would be so boring.

Answer 9

That is a very derogatory handle that you use to sign. You obviously need to get a life.

Answer 10

It would be boring. Variety is the spice of life. If everyone was all one thing, anything, it would completly suck to lose all of our wonderful diversity and differences of opinion.