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Buddhism: Equality

Buddhist attitudes to wealth and poverty

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 3

Overview

The causes of poverty in the UK and the world, the Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta on why some are born poor, dana and merit, whether wealth is wrong, and the four kinds of householder happiness.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What do Buddhists see as the causes of poverty?

Key term

How do Buddhists respond to poverty in the UK?

Key term

How do Buddhists respond to poverty in the world?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What do Buddhists see as the causes of poverty?

    Model answer

    Buddhists see poverty as caused by greed, unfair systems, war and a lack of education. Some Buddhists also see past kamma as one condition among many.

  2. 2

    How do Buddhists respond to poverty in the UK?

    Model answer

    Buddhists in the UK support food banks, homeless projects and charities. Buddhists see poverty in a wealthy country as a failure of generosity.

  3. 3

    How do Buddhists respond to poverty in the world?

    Model answer

    Buddhist charities fund clean water, schools and medical care in poorer countries. Buddhists regard help for the poor as the practice of karuna and dana.

  4. 4

    What does the Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta teach?

    Model answer

    The Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta explains why some people are rich and others poor, some healthy and others sick. The Buddha taught that beings are the owners and heirs of their kamma.

  5. 5

    According to the Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta, why are some people born poor?

    Model answer

    The sutta says a person who never gave food or help to others may be reborn poor. A generous person may be reborn wealthy.

  6. 6

    Why do Buddhists disagree about how to apply the Cula Kammavibhanga Sutta?

    Model answer

    Some people have used it to suggest that the poor deserve their poverty. Most Buddhists reply that kamma never excuses a failure to help, since compassion is itself good kamma.

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