It would not be an exaggeration to say that the modern world has fallen or has started to fall under the spell of materialism with the addition of consumerism. Who we are or how we define ourselves depends, largely, on material things and conditions, including the intractable belief that there are no immaterial things (it’s almost like saying if there were truly immaterial things I wouldn’t be such a materialist-consumer). In addition, who we are also depends on our power and capacity to consume—that takes money.
Many of us would prefer not to be labeled as materialist-consumers. This is not my raison d'être, in other words. Yet our closets, attics, basements and rental storage spaces tell a different story. We hang onto things—lots of things.
This sort of reminds me of the 1979 movie, The Jerk, in which Steve Martin played Navin R. Johnson a kind of idiot savant who was the Jerk along with Bernadette Peters who played his wife. In one scene, after making a fortune then losing it, Navin apparently gives up his materialism. He declares, “I don't want stuff … I don't need anything,” while leaving the room in his pajamas. But then he spies an old familiar ashtray. “Except this ashtray, and that's the only thing I need is this.” As he continues to walk to the door he notices other familiar items. “Well, and this paddle game and the ashtray is all I need. And this, this remote control; that's all I need, just the ashtray, paddle game, and this remote control.”
To reiterate, of course, almost everyone dislikes the label of being called a materialist or to a lesser extent, a consumer. Even billionaire philanthropist David Rockefeller who is 99 and has undergone six heart transplants as he clings to the psychophysical body claims to have given most of his money away whose current net worth is around 3.1 billion USD.
And then we have the Casey Neistats of the world, with their view: But the reality is no matter how much crap I buy, it doesn’t really move the needle on my happiness or sense of fulfillment. True enough, Casey. However, the needle that is always being moved is one of low grade happiness believing that real happiness and fulfillment is just around the next corner any time you want it—but not now since you are into low grade happiness. But real happiness and fulfillment is never around the corner.
The Buddha’s kind of happiness and fulfillment is orthogonal to the horizontal world of biological fitness. The real problem for the huge majority of mankind, including David and Casey, is their hardcore disbelief in the immaterial world of absolute Mind so that they feel no need to pursue a life dedicated to seeing it. So what is left is buying and enjoying expensive toys. These days, few are like the young Siddhartha who renounced a kingdom of great wealth.
Actually, D.R. has had 7 transplants to date. (But I doubt if any woman would dare to date him...)
Why does everyone talk so goofy on here? Just make your damn comment in your own damn words. Then let it go. Most of the time I don't even read the comments.
Posted by: Susan | November 20, 2016 at 06:04 PM
Ah, Diogenes, are you up to your old tricks again? Some prostrations would do you good! Here you are establishing yourself as the standard of correctness in merit in the Buddhadharma, yet are so obviously and completely unable to disentangle yourself from arrogance and conceit. What a ridiculous and tragic display of self satisfaction! Have you no shame at all?
Posted by: n. yeti | October 25, 2016 at 10:52 AM
Bodhi dumber wrote: "Better to skip the dharma talks and live and think for ourself."
To the main crowd of puthujhanas, who are devoid of the dharma in their minds, who are as foreign to IT as IT is foreign to them, "bowing" down to a Buddha statue, reading a passage from a sutra, or offering some incense or even funds for the propagation of the dharma by monasteries in line with the former, is a way to gain positive merit.
This type of merit is desperately needed for a better rebirth in a realm/reality where they can come closer to the true light of the buddha dharma as offered to them via a sage, a great bodhisattva or even Buddha.
Posted by: Diogenes | October 18, 2016 at 08:46 AM
where to draw the line? We must all follow our own light and not let anyone overwhelm our own judgment, including Mr. Siddhartha. And look at what a cult of personality he created. Bowing down to a statue of anything or body is not in line with reason. T's an act of spiritual defeatism. But that's what you'll find at any zen center or buddhist temple. I highly doubt Siddhartha would be pleased by that, but that's what happens when you play follow the leader. Better to skip the dharma talks and live and think for ourself.
Posted by: Bodhi Dumber | October 17, 2016 at 06:46 PM