Wealth

Lineage-holders-Dzogchen-Aro-gTer-400x665

Ngak’chang Rinpoche

Khandro Déchen

We were asked for our views on ‘envy’ in respect of ‘giving up materialism as the Buddhist way of life’. Those who asked were producing a television programme and wanted to meet us as representatives of Buddhism in Britain.

We decided, having had experiences of ‘the media’ in the past, that we had better supply a brief taste of our views on the subject beforehand in order to avert possible disappointment and embarrassment. It was as well that we took this step, as those concerned evidentially did not find our quote of interest. ‘Western Buddhists’ and ‘spiritual people’ in general do not seem to like or trust Vajrayana. They prefer predictable messages which fit well with their ideas of ‘what religion is supposed to be’. The English especially do not like to be disquieted by ideas such as we supplied. Those who are not easily disquieted – read on:

“We do not feel that people need to give up ‘materialism’ to be free of envy. One can simply be materialistic on behalf of all beings. This is true, full-blooded, unwithheld materialism. Envy merely arises out of our painful sense of poverty, how ever much we own – so ‘giving up materialism’ might not necessarily be the greatest help. We would hazard the suggestion that ‘appreciation’ is the key. If we awaken appreciation, then we become ‘rich’ in the sense that our enjoyment increases exponentially. One does not have to own phenomena in order to appreciate or enjoy phenomena. When we become ‘rich with appreciative enjoyment’, we become disinhibited in terms of appreciating the wealth of others. When we appreciate the wealth of others, envy ceases to exist and our appreciation becomes boundless. Our enjoyment of existence becomes the dance of self-liberated materialism.”

Written in haste by the miserable poverty-stricken Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen