Desire vs Apathy in Thai Buddhism
Posted by Stuart at 08:20 PM on June 04, 2004As I was watching the ceremonies at the temple a couple of days ago, I was thinking to myself that I would like to learn more about the religion. If nothing else, then maybe I can understand more of what I am seeing around me.
From what I can tell so far, Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a religion. Not only that, but it is a philosophy that makes sense. For example, the concept that desire is evil certainly resonates with me. I have interpreted that philosophy as the basis of Thai people's ability to be happy even when they don't have many material possessions. If Buddha says we shouldn't desire fancy cars and big houses, then it's ok if we don't have those things.
It seems to me that the extension of this idea is that many Thai people think it is ok to not work too hard. At least that is the only explanation I can find. It is an amazing sight to walk through the malls in Bangkok to see people sleeping on the job! Those who have been here know I am not exaggerating. It sometimes seems like some Thai people can sleep anywhere, anytime, no matter what is going on around them. It's a feat that I certainly can't pull off.
My students (as dear and sweet as they are) don't seem to want to work very hard either. They often don't desire an A; C's are good enough for them.
But now, a revelation by a fellow ajarn tonight sheds some new light on the Buddha's teachings. Apparently, Buddha thought everyone should work hard. One website I just found puts it this way:
Like many other spiritual traditions, Buddhism is a religion which supports the "work ethic". Buddhism is not a religion to tolerate lazy people.
It goes on to say:
In Buddhism it is also seen as dutiful to work hard because out of gratitude, one recognizes that in order to come work age at all, we are a result of considerable investment of time, money, education, love and patience by parents, teachers and state alike and if we are not to put our skills into action, then that investment and good will would go to waste. Thus in Buddhism a lazy person is also seen as an ungrateful person.
Wow. Whereas this might not be ground breaking stuff, I think it looks at the "work ethic" from an interesting perspective. It is, unfortuantely, a perspective that not many of my students seem to have.
So the next question is, of course, "Why not?"
By the way, the page that I quoted from has a lot of really good, practical advice about how to achieve success, no matter what religion you follow. The page is entitled Blessing Fourteen: Not Leaving One's Work Undone
Hey Stuart - I'm catching up on your weblog. Any idea how difficult it would be for me to bring my cat along with me to Asia?
Pa, I am sure you work hard in school. I certainly did not mean to say that "All Thai people are lazy". I try not to make such generalizations. Some of my students work very hard, too. Of course those students are the most fun to teach, as well.
Jenn, I have no experience travelling with pets, but I personally think that it would be quite inconvenient. However, I haven't heard of any legal or procedural reasons why you can't travel with your cat. On the other hand, I'm no expert on the matter either :)
That's good to have your facinating web back again.yes,Buddhism is philosophy by the taughts go but somehow people behave as the taught they understand. you are likely to say about laziness of Thai people. I can not contradict that I am usually lazy by sufing on net aimlessly for 4 hours however I am hard-working enough to receive good grades as one student can do. Mostly Thai people are idle and lack of idea to create sth.It's obvious by slow development or delay projects.
I don't want to talk about that.Time to reform but still can do it effectively since the human source,money,etc. typical in Thailand
(also Thai people and buddhist)