Buddhism Unchained: Don’t Follow the Money 

Foĺlow the dharma, not drachma, dirham, denaro, or dinero; rupiah, rubles, or renminbi. Because money is not important. What is in your heart is important. That should go without saying, of course, but it often needs to be repeated for best effect. It’s often said that free enterprise and Christian Protestantism go hand in hand, but it’s hard to imagine what kind of economic system would be inspired by Buddhism. Communism, maybe? No, I don’t think so, certainly not the authoritarian kind. Because Buddhist monks are the freest people in the world, even if they are sometimes confined to their home temple, or at least ONE temple, especially during the wassa rains retreat.  

 But, other than that, they are pretty much free to come and go. And they do, subject to availability, of course. Because monks are in high demand, given the bragging rights that often go with numbers. But that only applies to the men, of course. Nuns and laywomen often have a much tougher time in the temples, often for reasons that can only be explained by patriarchy and general male orneriness. I hope that’s changing, but there are no guarantees. Last I heard, nun mae chees in Thailand still go to Sri Lanka for full ordination. 

When perfected, the temple-based sangha system might indeed be able to serve as an economic paradigm, though not likely either communist or capitalist. Collectivist, maybe? Yes, maybe, if certain temples could be coaxed into giving up the daily alms round. It’s nice, and all, but is more symbolic than absolutely necessary, certainly. I suppose some folks see the monks dropping by for daily bread like paper or milk delivery boys, as regular as rain, but they could maybe be encouraged to visit the temple more often, too. That’s often what they do in the USA, and it works fairly well.  

Bottom line: if Buddhist monasteries were to allow women on an equal basis with men and they were to grow bountiful organic gardens, with rotating tasks divided equally between women and men, I bet that they could overcome any lingering sexual urges, and in the meantime impress many people with their efforts to be a new social paradigm. I personally would be so impressed that I and others might easily be inspired to make some contributions to the cause once or twice a year. It’s a new world dawning, better sooner than later.