Theos-Talk Archives (April 1999 Message tt00148)

<<To choose altruism as a path is already to have chosen the 
>Bodhisattva way.  >>
>
>Leon, you are maybe half right. The bodisattva is only 
>found in Mahayana Buddhism, and all schools agree that 
>it encorporates both compassion and wisdom.  They don't
>use the term altruism, because most people who are
>altruistic are not compassionate in that they expect rewards
>for their actions. Rich people in the US can afford to be
>altruistic and write it off their taxes. These altruistic folks
>are not anywhere close to the bodhisattvic path.

Thanks for the left handed concession: But, unfounded, half wrong 
psychological opinions about "most people" will get you knowhere (sic:-).  

Here's what my dictionary has to say about that.  al-tru-ism  n. 1. Unselfish 
concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.  It's synonyms are: 
1. [n.] Kindly concern for others
     -benevolence
     -kindheartedness
     -beneficence
     -charitableness
     -good will
     -kindliness
     -kindness
     -tenderness
     -goodheartedness
     -humaneness

Doesn't that perfectly describe a Bodhisattva?  

Rich people are not being altruistic when they use their guilt, their greed, 
and their gifts, to write off taxes.  Nor are they selfless.  "Expecting 
reward" is not altruism.  Altruism follows the teachings of Krishna, who 
says, "Let not the motive for action be in its fruits, but in the action 
itself."  I don't think Buddhism has ever come up with a better philosophical 
basis for compassion, benevolence or the actions of a Bodhisattva than that.  
Theosophy takes a similar position which stands in direct opposition to the 
teachings of "enlightened self interest" or "do as thou wilt"--as promoted by 
the Pratyeka Buddhist or Magick schools--which you seem to follow in all your 
assertions and your arguments. 

I make no concessions.  So, I suppose, this time you'll admit that I'm 
alright, and you're, maybe, ALL WRONG.:-)  

Leon

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