In Buddhism, the laity are expected to support the poor. That is to say, they
are expected to support the monks, who have taken a vow of poverty. Theravada
Buddhism still practices the traditional form of this activity. During the
morning, monks take their begging bowls and go out into the community to seek
food. Lay people are expected to put what food they can spare into the monks'
bowls.
This simple activity has expanded into the general idea that the
laity supports the Sangha in whatever it needs. This includes everything from
the things monks need for their everyday lives--such as robes, begging bowls,
and so on--all the way up to wealthy people paying to build monasteries,
temples. All lay support earns the giver merit.
The Buddha did not intend
to form either a religious or political position, or a philosophy of society.
Historically, he lived before the era of organized, systematic theorizing about
the human collective. He addressed himself as an individual to individuals. Even
when he spoke to large groups, as he frequently did, he focused on individual
responsibility. He understood every group - for example, the democratic states
that existed in the India of his times – as resting upon the insight,
conscience, and actions of each of its participants. He had no theory of, nor
belief in, supervening collective structures of society or government that could
amend or replace the bedrock of individual choice.
When I researched
internet and I found some articles in Internet about MCA ANTI BUDDHIST at SAMNAK
SAMBODHI BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION, TAMAN DESA JAYA, KUALA LUMPUR. That happened with
sadness and shameful to the others races and religions, in my religion
(Buddhist) not allow any politic party to running inside Temple.
Hope Mr.
Yip Kum Fook will understands what is Buddha teaching and Buddha culture? This
also make Buddhist lost of people believed, Buddhist not only in Malaysia,
Buddhist is for all human worlds.
Regards,
burmesebuddhisttemple.org.sg
14, Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327873
Tel: (65) 6251-1717 Fax: (65) 6256-0043.
Email: burtempl@singnet.com.sg.
