Is Buddhism "Stupid and Evil"?

WARNING: Strong opinions and obscenities! Although often funny, they are likely to offend.

In this very funny YouTube video, comedian "Captain Awesome" [Jello Biafra's son by any chance?] does an excellent job of spoofing religion. We thought his ideas nevertheless deserved comment. He brings up some points one might easily be misled on. Therefore, while laughing and enjoying Awesome's wit, we thought we might give serious consideration in answer to his observations:

1. Is Buddhism about peace, love, and harmony?

Yes, but more importantly it's about insight into the true nature of phenomena and liberation from suffering.

2. Is the Buddha fat and bald?

No, the historical Buddha was neither. But Chinese depictions of good luck, particularly at Chinese restaurants, do show a jolly bald bodhisattva or other being loosely referred to as "Buddha." This has led to a great deal of confusion. The Buddha was an ascetic, tall and if anything quite lean (even emaciated while fasting prior to his enlightenment). He cut off his curly hair, but it formed a top-knot (not an unusual style in India particularly for spiritual recluses) not a bald patch.

3. Did the Buddha smoke weed and talk about how in tune with nature [he was]?

This is hilarious material, and we hope no one is offended. No, the Buddha did not smoke marijuana. One of Buddhism's fundamental tenets, as part of the Five Precepts, is to "abstain from intoxicants which might occasion heedlessness." However, some Indian ascetics do smoke hashish (seemingly in excess) as part of their religious rituals -- particularly in Kashmir and Nepal and the Himalayan foothills where it grows freely like a weed that no one bothers much about. While the Buddha does not talk about how "in tune with nature" he or anyone else was, such harmony is consistent with the message. This view may come about from Buddhism's association with Taoism and other indigenous traditions in Asia with which it mixed.

4. Key Tenet I: "All human life is suffering"?

This statement is a literal mistranslation and a philosophical misapprehension of the Buddha's message. The meaning is bettered rendered as either "All conditioned states of existence are unsatisfactory" [because of their impermanent and impersonal nature] or "Suffering [dukkha] is inherent in life." As we live we will find ourselves dissatisfied with the things we strive for and obtain -- particularly material and sensual pursuits. The goal, therefore, is not necessarily to abandon them but to uproot the greed and craving (lobha and tanha) we have that incessantly drives us to chase what does not yield satisfaction. There is a permanent happiness, an unblemished bliss that is attainable here and now that has nothing to do with sensuality. It also, paradoxically, has nothing to do with a hereafter. It is not a heavenly state. It is called Nirvana, literally, "the end of all suffering." The path to Nirvana is increasingly pleasurable states of blissful concentration known as jhanas (meditative absorptions) that lead to purification of the heart and mind. This purification is experienced in the body and prepares one for insight (vipassana). The temporary bliss of concentration is no liberation; however, the permanent bliss of liberating-insight does lead to a permanent end to all further suffering. Just as life is ruined by the suffering and misery associated with it (as well as the imperfection and emptiness we're sometimes left feeling) -- because dukkha means the RANGE of unpleasant sensation between agitation and agony -- so Nirvana is without such association.

5. Does suffering (dukkha or "unsatisfactoriness") come from desire?

This is correct is easy to miscomprehend. At the root of dissatisfaction is craving (tanha, literally "thirst"). When an unpleasant state arises in the mind (or heart, which both go by the same word, citta), it is sure to be rooted in greed, hate, and delusion. These defilements occur together. All lust and anger are rooted in ignorance. Hate is simply the frustration of desire, the resistance to getting what we don't want. Not getting what we want is lust leading to suffering. Whether we are repulsed or attracted is based on ignorance and desire. If there were nothing we wanted, we would not be oppressed by hate. There would be no frustration. If there were nothing we wanted, we would not be oppressed by greed. There would be no suffering. But ignorance impels us to be attracted to things that can never yield satisfaction. Similarly, it repels us from all the things that we find unpleasant, that are not our desire. All of this becomes directly observable through mindful meditation. Otherwise, we just keep going, never understanding why life seems empty and painful and difficult. So score one for Captain Awesome. Anyone who claims the things of the world can satisfy is grievously mistaken. One need only look around for the most contented people. They are never the ones with the most material comforts, with seemingly every reason to be happy. It isn't our comforts that make us unhappy, but rather our greed (desire), hate (aversion), and delusion (ignorance).

6. You want sex and cars, and that will just cause more "suffering" according to Buddhism?

It won't just cause dukkha ("unsatisfactoriness"). It will feel good. There is no denying that there is pleasure to be had in sensual existence, particularly the pleasant world of humans. What also comes along, however, is a danger (the liability to become attached and lose the impermanent object of desire, which in our foolishness leads to all manner of suffering) and a risk. But there is an escape from this suffering and seeing the true nature of things: seeing them as impersonal and not belonging to us, as foreign and a potential burden, the longing and desire for them shrinks. The heart pulls away like plastic thrown in fire. And there is peace, and in this peace there is clarity and the possibility for insight to arise. The cause of all happiness is non-greed, non-hatred, and non-delusion, or stated positively: unselfishness, loving-kindness, and wisdom. Have sex (that doesn't hurt anyone or destroy anyone's relationships), but fulfillment is not to be found there. So long as one thinks it is, one becomes obsessed, invites all manner of troubles, and ultimately ends up unfulfilled, confused, and with nothing to show for this precious human life. Have cars (that are obtained honestly and without harming others). Have all that you. Taste the world. The risk is attachment to things that will not last and will never satisfy. It is futile to argue with one who neither knows nor sees this truth: "One was too many, and yet a thousand wasn't enough." It's true of alcohol, sex, cars, money. It is fruitful to argue with one who both knows and sees this truth. The dawning of insight usually comes in the wake of enough suffering to jolt one out of slumber and indifference. Otherwise, we just keep banging our head wondering why life doesn't work out.

7. To end desire you must follow the tenets Buddhism?

No. Concentration (to the point of absorption) suppresses defilements (greed, hatred, delusion, and fear, which is a kind of hatred/aversion so is not usually mentioned separately), which are the proximate cause of all the suffering we experience. Insight (into ultimate materiality and mentality) eradicates defilements, leaving us instead as unselfish, compassionate, wise, and fearless. Many traditions (if not most) teach the suppression of defilements. Few teach the path to their permanent eradication. Buddhism in that sense is not really a "religion" and is not limited to Buddhists. The path is open to everyone, just as the problems exist for everyone. Greed (rooted in the other defilements) will not lead to non-greed. Greed leads to greed and ultimately to unsatisfactoriness. But non-greed (temporarily freed of defilements, as well as liberating-insight) leads to non-greed and an end to unsatisfactoriness. This is not a truth to be accepted on faith, not a philosophy to adopt. It's visible here and now, in life just as in meditation (looking at the mind and its circular habits). The Dharma is inviting saying, "Hey, there's a way out of the trap; we're the ones causing ourselves harm, and therefore we can do ourselves a great deal of good.

8. Happiness isn't going to come by you thinking out your problems and such?

That's right. Thinking doesn't do it. Insight (knowing and seeing) does.

9. You've got the Path, you've got the eight paths to get to happiness?

Almost. There is a "Noble Eightfold Path" to Nirvana ("the end of all suffering"). Its eight factors are discussed in the WQ archives. But as it is said in Eastern Philosophical circles, There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way!

10. Rich people, rich countries have higher quality of life; the desire, the desire for goods just increases the happiness?

Does it? Scandinavian countries with their Happiness Index and the only Buddhist kingdom in the world (Bhutan)'s Gross Domestic Happiness are not related to materiality and desire. Desire is the opposite of contentment and happiness. Obtaining desires is a form of happiness (temporary satiation), but it doesn't satisfy. Satisfaction is characterized by an alleviation of desires. America and the Western industrialized nations are some of the unhappiest because we chase material happiness that doesn't work. People then go on a spiritual search to fill the void. Voluntary renunciation and contentment leads from subtle happiness to more subtle happiness, and with the appeasement of the defilements, it is possible to rapidly advance in insight and wisdom. And the way to the final end of suffering is happy as it goes culminating in the ultimate bliss that transcends intellectual understanding, Nirvana.

• NOTE: The captain then veers away from talking directly about Buddhism in favor of geopolitical matters. We'll let those countries' citizens and regimes defend themselves if they wish. Travel -- missing in most of our American lives -- might radically alter and expand Awesome's view of the larger world. Nevertheless, together with Captain Awesome we fervently wish: "May all living beings be well and happy!" And in the interest of a healthy debate, here is Buddha Gem with a compassionate video response: