Christians basically see themselves as larger than and more important than everything else in Nature. That's why they had problems with the news that the Sun and stars don't circle the Earth. Dominion over the planet is interpreted by Christians as meaning conquest and plunder. Buddhists, on the other hand, see themselves as a small harmonious part of Nature and dominion over the planet means guardianship. Conquest and plunder paradigms encourage materialism. Harmony paradigms do not. You will never see Buddhists bombing people for Middle East oil, for example.
2006-11-13 16:06:01
·
answer #1
·
answered by Anonymous
·
2⤊
2⤋
For the same reason they are Buddhists and we are christians and atheists. Products of society of beliefs. Well most of the orthodox folks anyway.
Material associates us with life on earth as it is physical. To want more can be as much a connection as not wanting more. If that makes sense.
2006-11-13 16:03:53
·
answer #2
·
answered by Labatt113 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
Early christians weren't materialistic either - 'it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the gates of heaven'. Western society has corrupted this because it is materialistic.
Buddhist philosophy states that all life is suffering. Part of this suffering is caused by material desires. If you don't want material possessions then part of the suffering is removed.
To all those christians who have demonstrated their lack of knowledge of Buddhism, we don't worship rocks or statues, these have no more meaning than that statue of christ in Rio. We do worship the priesthood, the teachings and the concept of enlightenment.
2006-11-13 16:08:08
·
answer #3
·
answered by Nemesis 7
·
2⤊
1⤋
in relation to american religion, with its roots in calvinism, the idea is that the chosen of god are known on earth by their success in life. so, people worked very hard to show their neighbors they were saved. material objects are one easy way we display our wealth and success to those around us.
christians also rely on faith as the path to salvation. while good works were originally part of the equasion, for the most part nowadays, christians claim faith is the sole path to heaven. so, good acts, spiritual work, charity etc. have lost their imperative.
for buddhists, spiritual work is the main practice. letting go of desire in all it's forms is considered essential. desire for material possessions and comforts is one of the hinderances in working towards the goal of enlightenment.
2006-11-13 16:09:00
·
answer #4
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
1⤋
Money and wealth, is material, why do buddhist and other idol worshipers choose to tape money, and place edible foods down before these man made objects, whom they worship as their god? man made objects that have no life, they have man carved mouths, but they speak Not, they have, man carved eyes, but they see Not, man made ears, but they hear Not, neither is there any Breath in their mouth, They that make them, are like unto them. While Christians worship and serve the Only true Living God who created all things for us to enjoy, so we enjoy all the blessings our God so richly gives us to enjoy, and gladly share with others. By the way, I `m not going to ask what they do with all the money that their patrons put on buddah, I know it can`t spend it, But, What happens to all of that fruit and food that is put down before those idols who evidently can`t eat it, well as have No use for it. ???????.
2006-11-13 16:29:43
·
answer #5
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
2⤋
to desire material things in order to help others is not wrong. buddhists, on the other hand, want to detach themselves from the world and from people.
2006-11-13 16:00:32
·
answer #6
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
2⤋
Not all Christians do...I never desire material goods, it just wastes my time
2006-11-13 16:03:14
·
answer #7
·
answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7
·
1⤊
1⤋
i don't think of christianity deals with fabric wealth lots. you may nicely be a sturdy christian with not something, or with hundreds of thousands of dollars, as long as you provide some to the church. Buddhism teaches you to look at wealth in any different case. costly furnishings isn't wealth, furnishings is. it isn't the fee of something that proves the fee, yet using it. no rely if that's functional, that's of extreme wealth. in case you think of that the seek for fabrics wealth is a waste of time, then perhaps you may look into buddhism. do exactly not anticipate to be praying to god, they don't do this.
2016-10-17 06:14:56
·
answer #8
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
The buddhists who have the compound in New Mexico? The guys who gave illegal contributions to Al Gore?
2006-11-13 16:43:32
·
answer #9
·
answered by m. b 3
·
0⤊
2⤋
What makes you think we desire material objects???
2006-11-13 16:12:02
·
answer #10
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
2⤋