DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - The Buddhist Organisations that are thriving during the debt crisis

**EnvellFen** · 11-20-2011, 06:44 AM

How wealthy do Buddhist organisations need to be? How many statues and decorative what-nots do they realistically need at some of the centres? What does that have to do with the Buddha's teachings ?

Yes. This is the importan issue.

"In common with pop musicians, footballers and corporate CEOs, it is the superstar Buddhist teachers who generate big money. Without them, many centres around the world would be hard pressed to make ends meet. As the older ones fade away, a new generation including the 17th Karmapa, is being groomed to take their place. These include the reincarnations of the late Ling Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. (Rinpoche means "precious one")."

Mary Finnigan
We have a saying: "Faith moves mountains... (of money)"

The need and sense of protection, of belonging, etc., can lead toward spiritual materialism. To own a luxury car, a glamorous job and why not... a glamorous and exotic believe, too.

It is known that in Mexico the visits of the Dalai Lama (or the Pope) have similar treatment to those like the one of a Rock Star like Bono or M. Jagger or even like the once of a high profile politician.

On the other side, when I was a member of a Soto Zen sangha, the Roshi accepted to participate in a research project bringing books, teachings and Zen material to a female prison so to improve their conditions and mental health. Nowadays, having made inmate friends there, there is a group that is still doing meditation and studying basic Soto teachings. The last news I had, were that the Roshi was still supporting this group. All this for free.

11-20-2011, 06:44 AM	#13
EnvellFen Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 507 Senior Member	How wealthy do Buddhist organisations need to be? How many statues and decorative what-nots do they realistically need at some of the centres? What does that have to do with the Buddha's teachings ? Yes. This is the importan issue. "In common with pop musicians, footballers and corporate CEOs, it is the superstar Buddhist teachers who generate big money. Without them, many centres around the world would be hard pressed to make ends meet. As the older ones fade away, a new generation including the 17th Karmapa, is being groomed to take their place. These include the reincarnations of the late Ling Rinpoche, Kalu Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. (Rinpoche means "precious one")." Mary Finnigan We have a saying: "Faith moves mountains... (of money)" The need and sense of protection, of belonging, etc., can lead toward spiritual materialism. To own a luxury car, a glamorous job and why not... a glamorous and exotic believe, too. It is known that in Mexico the visits of the Dalai Lama (or the Pope) have similar treatment to those like the one of a Rock Star like Bono or M. Jagger or even like the once of a high profile politician. On the other side, when I was a member of a Soto Zen sangha, the Roshi accepted to participate in a research project bringing books, teachings and Zen material to a female prison so to improve their conditions and mental health. Nowadays, having made inmate friends there, there is a group that is still doing meditation and studying basic Soto teachings. The last news I had, were that the Roshi was still supporting this group. All this for free.
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