Interest

[becky62]

Hi my names Rebecca.
I'm currently doing a study of religion assignment and i have chosen to do buddhism. I need to conduct an ethnography and interview an adherent of the buddhism religion in relation to the ethical issue of poverty. I was wondering if anyone was interested in helping me out?
muchly appreciated

[Ben]

Greetings Rebecca

We get many requests from high school to post-graduate students.
Perhaps before anyone responds you can tell us a little more about what you are studying and where you are studying.
kind regards

Ben

[becky62]

yeah sure. I'm from a Catholic school in Australia doing an assignment in religion. We have been asked to investigate the extent to which the views of adherants in relation to the issue (I have chosen poverty) align with their religion's ethical code.

[becky62]

It was suggested i put the questions up on my thread so here they are for those interested :

What is your occupation?

What is your ethnic background?

How long have you been practicing Buddhism for?

Do you attend services for your religion? If so how often?

What is your knowledge of poverty?

In your opinion, how do you feel about poverty?

Is this influenced by Buddha’s attitude in the approach to poverty and in saying this do you agree or disagree with the stance?

Can you justify this further?

Do the teachings and scriptures of Buddha influence your viewpoint?

Does your personal life affect your views on poverty due to family values, career or a particular incident?
Are there any points in which you disagree on the religions viewpoint on poverty?

Do you recognise and identify your religions ethical code?

What do you, from your understanding, believe this is?

Does the ethical code align Buddhist views and values on poverty?

If so, how do you feel the issue should be approached, considering the values and ethical code.

[Ben]

Hi Rebecca,
Please indicate the name and location of your school.
Thanks

Ben

[becky62]

Trinity College Beenleigh, Brisbane

[alan]

Hi Becky
Can you offer a good reason why we should do your homework for you?

If you develop an interest in Buddhism and want to discuss it, fine. But please don't assume you can go here and data mine.

[becky62]

Its not getting anyone to do my homework for me. im doing an ethnography of how a buddhist feels about poverty which i then develop into an essay which is produced as a multi modal. If you had no interest in helping me answer some questions then you dont have to comment. I'm looking for someone who will genuinely help me. And i do have an interest in Buddhism but i can not interview myself.

[m0rl0ck]

Hi Becky
Can you offer a good reason why we should do your homework for you?

If you develop an interest in Buddhism and want to discuss it, fine. But please don't assume you can go here and data mine.

From what i understand, she is doing an ethnographic study. By definition that entails meaningful communication with those whose views and culture are of interest.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Becky,

Nevermind Alan, he'd be the first to admit he can be a little curt sometimes.

I'll look at answering these questions soon, but don't have time just at the minute, and they seem quite detailed.

Metta,
Retro.

[Ben]

I'll look at answering these questions soon, but don't have time just at the minute, and they seem quite detailed.

Same here. Also...
They're not questions that one can give straight forward answers.
kind regards

Ben

[becky62]

Thank you so much!
I appreciate your kindness and time greatly

[becky62]

I understand some of them are indepth and thats what we were suppoed to do. apply open and closed questions so they can be further justified and explained further

[alan]

This is a good place to be if you are interested in Buddhism. Much more interesting than ethnography!
But--What response were you expecting?
"Buddhists say it sucks to be poor"?
I'd say most everyone agrees. If you are looking for an overriding philosophy on the subject of poverty, you won't find it here. That seems to be the realm of economists. Have you read Adam Smith?
http://clubtroppo.com.au/2008/06/22/what-if-adam-smith-was-right-about-poverty/

[plwk]

So here's a simplistic shot...

What is your occupation?
What is your ethnic background?

Will PM you...

How long have you been practicing Buddhism for?

Since 1999

Do you attend services for your religion? If so how often?

Yes. The weekly (2-3 times), the twice a month observance of the New/Full Moon Days, the annual special festive days.

What is your knowledge of poverty?

This is a wide range question...
Personally, through various charitable bodies, I have visited and seen areas where poverty is present, both in rural and urban areas.
In terms of statistics and wider opinions that I have read, from my country's context, please refer to these: 1 2 3 4 5
And here too: Liberation of the Poor

In your opinion, how do you feel about poverty?

It is both an artificial and avoidable situation.

Is this influenced by Buddha’s attitude in the approach to poverty and in saying this do you agree or disagree with the stance?

I would yes.

Can you justify this further?

Here's some examples..
On Debt: Ina Sutta
Political:
When a King neglects to rule according to righteousness: Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta
When an entire nation reduces to misery when the Head of State is corrupt: Adhammika Sutta
Hoarding and mal-distribution: Agganna Sutta
Other causes of loss of wealth: Sigalovada Sutta
Kammic causes: Culakammavibhanga Sutta

Do the teachings and scriptures of Buddha influence your viewpoint?

To a large extent, yes

Does your personal life affect your views on poverty due to family values, career or a particular incident?

To some extent, yes

Are there any points in which you disagree on the religions viewpoint on poverty?

Only those which seek to either further keep people in poverty or refuse to alleviate them.

Do you recognise and identify your religions ethical code?

I should think so.

What do you, from your understanding, believe this is?

See this...

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.

Does the ethical code align Buddhist views and values on poverty?

If based on the above quote, then yes.

If so, how do you feel the issue should be approached, considering the values and ethical code.

Sikkha Sutta

[rowyourboat]

I think it is very interesting how Christian adherents research other religions in such depth. There is apparently one who had done a thesis on nirodhasamapatti! Amazing. I do find it mildly disconcerting as well, I must admit.

With metta

[octathlon]

I think it is very interesting how Christian adherents research other religions in such depth. There is apparently one who had done a thesis on nirodhasamapatti! Amazing. I do find it mildly disconcerting as well, I must admit.

The ones I've noticed since I've been here, have been from students at religious schools and the questions were vaguely worded and difficult to understand what was being asked, such as "Is this influenced by Buddha’s attitude in the approach to poverty and in saying this do you agree or disagree with the stance?" - huh? I suspect these assignments are ways that students can be reinforced as to the superiority of their own religion. Especially that "survey" we had a while back.