If Buddhism is so good, why are some Buddhist countries so poor?
Once a Brahmin approached The Buddha and questioned him thus:
Brahmin: “My Lord, your disciples claim that your Dharma (Teachings) is flawless and pristine and yet I see some of your disciples gone astray! How could this happen?”
Buddha: “ My dear Brahmin, do you know the road from the capital of Magadha to the capital of Kosala?” (Two Kingdoms during the time of The Buddha)
Brahmin: “ Oh Yes my Lord! Like the palm of my hand!”
Buddha: “ My dear Brahmin, what if someone asked you directions to go from the capital of Magadha to the capital of Kosala and you gave him the directions accurately? Yet, you find that… that person had gone astray?”
Brahmin: “ My Lord! While giving that person accurate directions, if that person had not listened to me attentively or while giving that person accurate directions he had listened to me attentively but not followed my instructions properly, am I to be blamed for that person going astray?”
Buddha: “ Then my dear Brahmin, while I expounded this Dharma, if my disciples had not listened to me attentively or while I expounded this Dharma my disciples had listened to me attentively but not followed my instructions properly, am I to be blamed for my disciples going astray?”
The Buddha has taught the lay disciples on how to live a virtuous life while improving economically. If the lay disciples do not practice what the Buddha has taught and end up being poor and downtrodden, could Buddhism (The Buddha and his Teachings) be blamed for it.
Here is a very valuable quote from the richest man in the world:
“ If you are born poor, it’s not your mistake BUT if you die poor, it’s your mistake!” - Bill Gates
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