Click-a-Sermon 20:  Simpler Way of Life  

Those of us who live in an industrialized society are constantly submerged in a consumption oriented culture, which demands that "we buy more" and "spend more". If we fail to do so, we are warned that the economy slows down and stagnates. Hence, economists, politicians and business leaders encourage us to increase consumer consumption. And for international relation, whenever the surplus increases in the foreign trade balance, we are told to increase domestic consumption as the solution to the problem or buy domestic products.

Nations and individuals have much in common. Both have been conditioned to believe that "spend more" and "acquire more" will bring prosperity, happiness and contentment in life. Thus businessmen and workers alike expect annual income increases and steady income growth for this is how we imagine we can attain happiness.

No one can deny that human society and culture must move forward to improve our world environment, living conditions, as well as resolving injustices. Yet it is time for those of us who live in this consumption oriented and materialistic society to re-evaluate our goals and question whether wanting more and striving to attain more will bring us true happiness and satisfaction in life.

Currently, there are those who criticize people for saving too much and working too hard. They are advised to increase vacations and reduce working hours in order to not overproduce. This is a strange value system that does not even correlate with the reasons why any nations managed to rise to greatness.

During the past several decades, man has successfully obtained sufficient material abundance to slake his thirst. Yet it is obvious that human thirst will never be quenched. Nor does modern man appear happier than his predecessors of several generations ago. Thus it is time to re-examine and re-evaluate our goals and values in life.

What leads to happiness and contentment? Certainly it is not buying more and consuming more. Humankind needs very little to nourish our bodies and provide the wherewithal for a simple contented life. Yet most of us are buried under the induced need to buy luxuries that are far beyond the requirements of basic living. At the same time, we have tended to forget how to appreciate the beauty of simple things and enjoy life itself.

Buddhist teaching has been that unless humankind reverses its priorities 180 degrees regarding wanting and consuming more, mankind will never obtain true liberation and freedom. True happiness and contentment lies only within the new values we will discover by challenging the false notions imposed upon us in the name of "prosperity", and  "growth".

It may be difficult for us to live exactly like Issa, the 18^th century poet, in this modern world. However, we can learn immensely from a simple free life he lived.

Butterfly flits
as if wanting nothing
in this world.

for the poor
there's not a spring
without blossoms.

blossoms bloom -
in a nook in this floating
world of craving.

blooming flowers -
residents of this world, too,
a short time.         

- Kobayashi Issa -  (from Pure Land Haiku by David Lanoue)

In Gassho,

© Reno Buddhist Church, 2004