Putting your wealth in context

Buddhist ethical conduct including the Five Precepts (Pañcasikkhāpada), and Eightfold Ethical Conduct (Aṭṭhasīla).
mogg
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Re: Putting your wealth in context

Post by mogg »

The funny thing about wealth is, no matter how much you earn, you never feel wealthy. I was making a high income in Australia but so were all my peers so I just felt normal (actually unsatisfied would be more accurate). When I moved to Singapore (and ultimately Hong Kong) I was making many multiples of my previous Australian salary but felt average (unsatisfied) yet again because the goal posts had shifted and all my new peers/friends were making mega-bucks. Its never enough, and you never feel satisfaction.

Now I'm 'retired' and in Thailand trekking the dhamma path. I'm making less money now than I did as a 22 yr old grad...and I feel richer than I ever have :)
SarathW
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Re: Putting your wealth in context

Post by SarathW »

Hi Mogg
I wish that everyone in this world understand what you said. We understand this mainly we are rich unfortunately.
Even Buddha realise this being a prince. People think that there is a correlation with wealth and happiness.
:) They are too different things.
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
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retrofuturist
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Re: Putting your wealth in context

Post by retrofuturist »

Greetings,
mogg wrote:The funny thing about wealth is, no matter how much you earn, you never feel wealthy.
Buddhist author Ethan Nichten addresses "the inadequacy principle" in his book "One City: A Declaration Of Interdependence"... well worth a look if you or anyone else are interested in it.

:reading:

Metta,
Retro. :)
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
chownah
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Re: Putting your wealth in context

Post by chownah »

Putting your wealth in context, using the Ariya-Vampsa sutta as the context:
Any old lodging will do
Any old food will do
Any old clothing will do
chownah
Dennenappelmoes
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Re: Putting your wealth in context

Post by Dennenappelmoes »

SDC wrote:First World Problems

For even more perspective.
:D These are true, and they are funny, but I do think we should watch out and not rob people from their right to feel bad about something. Many people in the 1st world have terrible amounts of suffering and on top of that feel guilty because they think that their suffering is nothing compared to that of people in 3rd world countries. By contrast, people in for example Ethiopia are generally positive minded and make the most out of what they have and tend to live a much simpler life. Personally, if I look beyond the obvious fact that I'm used to my life the way it is, I have no strong preference to be born where I am as opposed to some poor area. I imagine you can be pretty sad if you're watching tv and there's commercials on all channels, even though you're a total rich spoiled fat European/American. :tantrum:

That said, it is good to be reminded of our wealth so that we'll give more to charity - I think poor people know better what to do with wealth than rich people :thumbsup:
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