Spiritual Materialism
Spiritual MaterialismMaterialism is not necessarily a negative idea.In fact, it is no doubt that our materialistic desires have advanced our civilization.However, we must smartly and spiritually notice when our materialistic desires are satisfied enough and when we should start satisfying our spiritual desires without the materialism.New spiritual leaders have noticed this notion and have been seeking for materialism-free spirituality.
So-called “the truths” have been influenced by the spiritual materialism so much.Therefore, the first thing that the new spiritual leaders should do is to remove any aspect of spiritual materialism from the truths.Of course, there are the truths without spiritual materialism.What Buddha or Jesus initially taught us were the truths without the materialism.It was us who have added the materialism. The new spiritual leaders have started not only learning the materialism-free truths but also finding the right practice for the true spiritual satisfaction.
Table 1: Spiritual Materialism
Idolatry
Image/Statue of Buddha.Temple.Fictional spiritual/religious characters.Power-spot.Holy remains such as Buddha’s ashes/Stupa.
Authoritarianism
Dully-authorized monk.Status/Ranks of temples.Spiritual leaders with dramatic/unrealistic/fictional enlightenments.
Secretiveness
Magic words.Esoteric Buddhism.Secret sutra.
Formalism
Esoteric tools.The Buddhist instruments of esoteric Buddhism. Buddha’s priest stole.Tonsure.Spirituality seminar/training.
Exclusivity
Religions.Dogma.
Transaction・Fearfulness
Torture-style practice. Fasting. Pure land and Hell.Final judgment.Salvation by faith in Buddha.Confession. How do you choose a Tarot deck, with so many choices available? Choose the one you feel drawn to. tarot what he feels for you
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