What do you think that the Buddha's commentaries on modern society would be?

[Little Joe Gould]

I've always wondered what it would be like if Jesus or Buddha or any other significant religious figure were to exist in our time period and view how we live. What do you think they would say about our way of life in our fast-pace, modern, technological world? Do you think they would obviously be displeased with the way we're doing things? What do you think they would say about things like cell phones and the internet and the monetary system? I really am not sure, so I'm asking you all of these questions.

 

[koan]

In the time of the Buddha, there was war corruption and greed! Gee, nothing much has changed.

 

[LuisDantas]

Myself, I think there would be some sort of warning about the rapid pace of use of natural resources, the need for birth planning and for social-economical responsibility.

Buddha specifically would probably emphasize the teachings on interdependent origination, while Lao Tzu would likely elaborate on how buildings fall under their own weight when overgrown.

And both would be very interested in modern Ecology and Social Sciences, I guess.

 

[Scarlett Wampus]

Lao Tzu's message and especially Chuang Tzu's message was to stop re-acting to circumstances (what we sometimes call “progress”) because the world could not be improved through interference. Instead do nothing but seek the inner quiescence & harmony of the Tao which moves of its own accord.

I imagine if Lao Tzu were to exist in our time he or she would become something like a Zen Buddhist teacher. If Chuang Tzu were to exist in our time you'd only see the back of him as he made his way to a place of natural beauty to be alone. Climate Change and the current mass extinction would go beyond the realisation of his worst fears. Even if Lady Nuwa wakes up she may be unable to fix the sky this time.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

In the time of the Buddha, there was war corruption and greed! Gee, nothing much has changed.

Except the population of the Earth. But I agree with you, koan.

I think Buddha would chuckle a bit and offer the same reminder to us as he did to his own peers - basically, we're all still "junkies."

 

[Caladan]

I think they might be dumbfounded at first, and will have to take in the reality they see and meditate on it. than instead of stimulating another stream of followers, they would encourage the people of the 21st century to use the technological and intellectual tools they have developed to stabilize pressing issues, and to make a healthy transition into the future.
I dont know if they could mentally identify enough with the reality they would find themselves in, in order to give practical advices. the consumption culture of the 21st century would have a hard time coping with long sermons and parables, and soon enough Jesus and Siddhartha might find themselves alienated. but if indeed they turn out to be figures who were anachronistic in their own times, with a great vision and understanding of the unfoldment of events, I assume they would want to experience and study the times they would find themselves in, instead of necessarily preach of formulas for a better tomorrow, in a time of public rights, maybe 'Give to caesar what is caesar's' will not fit.
who knows, maybe they would become politicians, diplomats, or scientists, or all of the above, or perhaps they would disappear into the urban jungle, and retire to a modern Zen life, and leave us no commentary of our condition.

 

[scientologypittsburgh]

Interesting question, I think they would be a bit sad that we have not applied more of their teachings and that our world today is in just as bad shape or worse.

Personally I don't think technology would really concern them but rather maybe the ways in which people use the technology we have.

Well anyways, those are just some of my personal thoughts on the subject.

 

[lilithu]

I think that in this "modern" age, we are more focused on "self" and acquisition of material wealth than ever. All the advertising and even our politicians to a certain extent have been feeding us the message, "You deserve to have everything!" (Thank god(s) our current president is steering us away from that mentality.)

And modern technology, while in many ways a blessing, also caters to self. We've gone from community entertainment in the town square to family entertainment in the livingroom to each person in front of his or her own computer/tv/game system customized for his/her interests (with 500 channels of "entertainment" to choose from, no less). We walk around with cell phones and ipods glued to our ears or staring into their tiny screen to play games, watch videos, text message, so that we are less aware of our surroundings than ever. Insulated. Unaware. Disconnected.

And don't get me started on factory farming....

I think the Buddha's message to us would be the same as it was 2500 years ago, but it would be more urgent than ever.

Or perhaps... since he almost didn't bother with us the first time around (until Brahman convinced him that some of us only have a little dust in our eyes), maybe this time he would just shake the world off his shoulders and sit under a tree, smiling. And we, not knowing who he is, would just think he was the neighborhood crazy man. :angel2:

 

[Little Joe Gould]

And we, not knowing who he is, would just think he was the neighborhood crazy man. :angel2:

It's kind of funny that you should say that because I was kind of thinking something similar. I think in our fast pace modern lifestyle the average person wouldn't be able to recognize any form of truth when it is spoken and if the Buddha was born today he would probably be considered "that crazy guy that lives in the forest and talks nonsense".

 

[3.14]

jesus would probaly get a hyve's page with everyone on the world on it

"jesus on twitter" (ye so i was creating bread for the poor and they complaint that i didn't make hamburgers)

buddha on 6 o clock news: [buddha still refuses to leave burgerking] (authors comment: wel he isen't getting any (en)lighter from it)

 

[Ozzie]

I've always wondered what it would be like if Jesus or Buddha or any other significant religious figure were to exist in our time period and view how we live. What do you think they would say about our way of life in our fast-pace, modern, technological world? Do you think they would obviously be displeased with the way we're doing things? What do you think they would say about things like cell phones and the internet and the monetary system? I really am not sure, so I'm asking you all of these questions.

I'm pretty sure Buddha would cope. He would see all this as manifestations of attachment.

 

[Mjolnir]

If Jesus or the Buddha would exist in our time i do not believe their messages would change. Humanity has not solved any of its problems yet, problems that these two warned about. There are still wars, hate, ignorance, suffering, attachment, and all the other ills of humanity. Their messages would remain the same.

I could picture the Buddha as the "crazy person" very easily in today's world also.

 

[Jethro Tull]

I've always wondered what it would be like if Jesus or Buddha or any other significant religious figure were to exist in our time period and view how we live.

Jesus and Sakyamuni Buddha are here now, in spirit and truth.

Those who wake up to the truth and become the truth will still see suffering, ignorance, and delusion, just as Jesus and Sakyamuni Buddha did when they walked this Earth. To truly follow these religious figures would to use skillful means to help others out of suffering and into Nirvana, or Heaven. As Jesus said, we must be like fishers of men. And always remember to look within, thou art the Buddha.

The potential of the human spirit is boundless compassion; the source of happiness.

Namaste

 

[Ozzie]

I've always wondered what it would be like if Jesus or Buddha or any other significant religious figure were to exist in our time period and view how we live. What do you think they would say about our way of life in our fast-pace, modern, technological world? Do you think they would obviously be displeased with the way we're doing things? What do you think they would say about things like cell phones and the internet and the monetary system? I really am not sure, so I'm asking you all of these questions.

Pretty much the same commentary in another language.

 

[YmirGF]

Personally, I think Buddha would be very daunted at the prospect of offering advice to the world now. It would be very difficult to craft a message that would appeal to a significant portion of the population without making that message a triumph of mediocrity.

 

[Ozzie]

Personally, I think Buddha would be very daunted at the prospect of offering advice to the world now. It would be very difficult to craft a message that would appeal to a significant portion of the population without making that message a triumph of mediocrity.

I think the Buddha would rejoice in successfully translating his message into a triumph of mediocrity as his message is existence is mediocre, you better get used to it.

 

[LuisDantas]

Nope.

The Buddha wasn't nearly as pessimistic as you make him appear, Ozzie. Not by a long shot.

 

[Halcyon]

Personally, I think Buddha would be very daunted at the prospect of offering advice to the world now. It would be very difficult to craft a message that would appeal to a significant portion of the population without making that message a triumph of mediocrity.

I don't think he'd be daunted. It would be interesting to get a refresher course in what he actually taught though, see how much of his wisdom actually survived intact down the ages, or even if his original teachings match up to what modern Buddhism has to offer.

 

[YmirGF]

I don't think he'd be daunted. It would be interesting to get a refresher course in what he actually taught though, see how much of his wisdom actually survived intact down the ages, or even if his original teachings match up to what modern Buddhism has to offer.

I rather expect some of his new teachings would we radical departures from accepted dogma.

 

[Master Vigil]

I would think they would simply say... "That's not what I meant!"