If everyone on earth was a Buddhist monk?

Question

Wouldn't the world kind of fall apart? As far as I know, Buddhist monks don't work jobs, and they have to beg for the one meal they eat a day.

I'm just curious to see the replies, I'm not "dissing" Buddhism by any means.

Sly Phy,

Touché.

Answer 1

If everyone on earth were a Zen monk or nun, we'd be fine. Zen monastics work for a living.

The great Chinese Zen master, Pai Chang (750-815 C.E.), once said that, "A day without work is a day without food."

In T'ang Dynasty China, Zen monastics left the wealthy temples that received patronage from the emperor and formed new temples in distant mountain locations where they could pursue Zen practice without distraction and interference. They also explicitly refused the support of lay people.

This independence has always uniquely characterized the Zen tradition -- standing on one's own two feet.

Answer 2

I guess, yes. If everyone was a Buddhist monk, then there would be no one to grow food, cook food, make things, etc, etc. But the same could be said for the preachers and monks in every religion.

Also, they don't technically beg. They are not supposed to ask for anything. But other Buddhists often supply the monks with food.

Answer 3

Buddhist monks don't think everyone should become Buddhist monks. Their way of life is dependent on a diverse and generous society. The monastic institution would fall apart if everyone became a monk or nun.

Answer 4

Assuming that is true about Buddhist monks (and I highly doubt all of them live their lives that way) - yes, the world would fall apart eventually. Begging for food from beggars isn't really a solution.
.

Answer 5

Well you've asked a bunch of different questions here. Would the world be more peaceful? Not necessarily. Buddhists have fought wars too, built vast fortresses, raised enormous armies: not so different in that respect than many of the other, fundamentally divisive, violent religions. The power of meditation to bring peace to people's lives and to make them healthy is something worthy of more scientific study. If we can introduce more meditation without tying it to so much of the mystic mumbo-jumbo that goes along with Buddhism, so much the better.

Answer 6

The probability is perhaps zero.

Answer 7

If everyone was a bus driver.....