Buddhism and devaluation;A defence mechanism?

Shinji Ikari

Firstly let me say I find alot of good things in Buddhism. In fact I was tempted to become one at one stage. However there is something which has been bothering me lately.

First let me define devaluation as a defence mechanism to avoid ambiguity. An example would be say if you failed an exam and to avoid self criticism and frustration you came to the fallacious conclusion via compartmentalisation that the subject was irrelevant in the real world or the test was unfairly structured. Basically if you can't get something you devalue its worth to avoid frustration ect.

O.K. I've noticed that Buddhists tend to do this alot in regards to pleasures of the flesh. i.e. Whats the point in accumulating wealth its all impermanent.It will only lead to a cycle of craving resulting in more suffering. To people in poor nations who enviously watch the decadence of the Western world on their cheap T.V.'s in the slums of Bangkok I can see how from a psychological perspective this could be a useful defence mechanism.

So whats your opionions? A truth, a defence mechanism or something in between?

KamikazeKenny81

Im new to Buddhism, Ive been learning for about a year now, and u will get much better answers than mine soon enough im sure

But a teaching I saw on YouTube jumped to mind. It was a Buddhist nun who was talking about wealth, Buddhism etc and she said its not about avoiding things, but the relationship you have with them. For example, there's nothing wrong with working hard and getting rich, as long as the relationship you have with money is one where your happyness doesnt depend on it. So in theory, you could lose it all tomorrow and it wouldnt effect ur happyness.

Im not sure if I explained it very well but for me it shows the difference between ur described defense mechanism and what Buddhism suggests.

Shinji Ikari

I watch that myself. Some of those videos have an English monk and he makes a few jokes during he's talks right?

Asiaprod

As mentioned by KamikazeKenny81, its not about avoiding things, but the relationship you have with them...but more important, is what you do with what you have. Money is a form of power, what you do with it will determine your own happiness. The Buddha was very specific on this issue (remember he came from a very wealthy family). According to him, those that do accumulate wealth are also bound to use that wealth to help reduce the suffereing of others. Those that do not, but instead hoard it or lead extravagant lifestyles, will suffer for it.

His guidance was:
Those that have little should give little.
Those that have middling, should give middling.
Those that have a lot, should give a lot.

In answer to your original question, I would agree that for many devaluation is a defence mechanism to avoid ambiguity. I doubt that there are any here that have not at one time used this approach. We are all human, we all desire, we all try to cover our hurt. I have done this many times. In particular, in blaming bad results on others, trying to deny that it is I who was responsible for the outcome. I still do it when I am hurt by not getting something I want. The difference now is that very quickly I come to the realization that what I wanted was not right for me, and something better usually comes along.
In a way, its a strange kind of protection. Getting what I originally wanted would inevitably have lead to unhappiness for me.
I could go on for hours here, tying in Karma and previous existence, but I think you get the gist of what I am trying to say.

@KamikazeKenny81; You have learned a lot and your explanation was excellent, I just could not resist adding to it:)

MeditationMom

Shinji Ikari - By Basically if you can't get something you devalue its worth to avoid frustration ect.

O.K. I've noticed that Buddhists tend to do this a lot in regards to pleasures of the flesh. i.e. Whats the point in accumulating wealth its all impermanent.It will only lead to a cycle of craving resulting in more suffering. To people in poor nations who enviously watch the decadence of the Western world on their cheap T.V.'s in the slums of Bangkok I can see how from a psychological perspective this could be a useful defence mechanism.

No question these teachings can be used as a convenient excuse or as a "feel better about your lot in life" defense mechanism, and more often than not, are being used for exactly that.

That does not take away from the truth, though, that all wealth and pleasures of the flesh aka wives, husbands, children, knowledge, status, money, etc, are impermanent. Even our own body is impermanent.

What that means is that all things are therefore infinitely meaningless and infinitely precious - in this very moment in which they exist. Wealthy, poor, sitting in the dirt, in your own blood, on a golden thrown, or in a Ferrari - if you miss the moment, you simply miss. If you don't miss, you discover what Buddhism is trying to teach - the true end of suffering instead of a clever way to avoid suffering.

You bring up a good point, too. "Defense mechanism to avoid ambiguity" - the whole goal of Buddhism is a serene "don't know" attitude after a long dismantling of knowing. You have to forgive those in Buddhism who are still un-learning.