Significance of Material wealth

Material wealth encompasses a variety of meanings across different cultural and philosophical contexts. In South Asia, it represents resources and assets contributing to richness, while Tibetan Buddhism expresses aversion towards worldly possessions. Vaishnavism views it as a source of pride that can lead to anxiety if misused, advocating for devotion to the Lord instead. Similarly, Vedanta emphasizes its fleeting nature, contrasting it with spiritual pursuits. Overall, material wealth is often critiqued for distracting from true spiritual fulfillment across various traditions.

Synonyms: Financial resources, Monetary assets, Material possessions, Capital, Wealth, Riches, Affluence, Prosperity, Assets, Fortune, Resources, Opulence

In Dutch: Materiële rijkdom; In Finnish: Aineellinen rikkaus; In Spanish: Riqueza material; In German: Materieller Reichtum; In Malay: Kekayaan material; In Swedish: Materiell rikedom; In French: Richesse matérielle

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Material wealth'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, material wealth encompasses the hoarding of riches without enjoyment, minimal possessions for the Bhikkhu’s simplicity, aversion to worldly possessions, thoughts on acquisition, accusations against the Bodhisatta, and a contrast to the virtue of generosity.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

(1) Physical possessions or assets that individuals may gather and attach importance to, contrasted with the virtue of generosity.[1] (2) Thoughts regarding obtaining material possessions and how to achieve them, associated with kamma vitakka.[2]

(1) The accumulation of physical goods and resources which the Bodhisatta was accused of pursuing instead of meditation.[3]

(1) The accumulation of riches that the Lord High Treasurer hoards without any enjoyment or sharing with others.[4]

(1) Describes the physical possessions and riches a person has, which in this context, is minimal for the Bhikkhu who prefers a life of simplicity.[5]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

(1) Worldly possessions and riches that sangs rgyas gnyan ston choskyi shesrab felt aversion towards.[6]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Material wealth'

Hinduism Books

Material wealth in Hinduism symbolizes both the tangible resources that lead to worldly distractions and potential suffering, and the transient nature of such possessions, which contrast with the enduring significance of spiritual devotion and higher knowledge.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

(1) The text suggests that hankering after material wealth is a cause of deep distress, and relief from this suffering is achieved through devotion to the Lord.[7] (2) Refers to physical possessions and riches that are ultimately deemed unimportant compared to spiritual fulfillment.[8] (3) The earthly possessions that are described as flimsy and transient, contrasting with the eternal wealth of the Supreme Lord.[9] (4) Tangible riches and resources that can lead to negative consequences, including theft, jealousy, and despair.[10]

(1) This is what people become proud of, and which can be abandoned by those who receive the Lord's mercy.[11] (2) Possessions and resources associated with affluence and financial prosperity.[12]

(1) The possessions or riches that one accumulates in a materialistic sense, which Shri Bhagavan may deprive to favor someone's welfare.[13]

(1) Refers to physical possessions and resources that a person can own, indicating a lack thereof in the context.[14]

(1) Refers to physical possessions and money that can lead to anxiety, sorrow, and greed if misused, opposing the practice of bhakti.[15]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

(1) Temporal assets and resources that are acquired, which distract from the pursuit of true purpose and the understanding of higher knowledge.[16]

(1) Material wealth includes physical assets like gold, crucial for conducting rites.[17]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy):
Shaivism Books

(1) Earthly possessions that are contrasted with spiritual devotion in the poem, marking the temporal nature of material pursuits.[18]

Shaiva or Shaivism (shaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

(1) Material wealth is the fruit of worldly things, which are obdurate like an iron rod, according to Rama's assessment of the world.[19]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

The concept of Material wealth in local and regional sources

History Books

Material wealth encompasses financial prosperity, the accumulation of resources, and the abundance of possessions, often critiqued for overshadowing spiritual growth. It highlights the balance between pursuing riches and nurturing personal values and aspirations.

Significance in India history and geography:

(1) Accumulation of resources and riches, significant in India's early historical context.[20] (2) The pursuit of financial prosperity, critiqued in the context of thoughtless emigration and the impact on personal values.[21] (3) The abundance of physical resources and possessions, which can overshadow spiritual development.[22] (4) Material wealth satisfies only a moiety of man's nature and is a portion of what he requires.[23] (5) Earthly possessions and riches that the true poet scorns in favor of spiritual devotion.[24]

(1) You have not the capacity to manufacture a needle, and you dare to criticise the English, implying that you are not capable of producing anything and cannot compete with the wealth of others, as mentioned in the text.[25] (2) Material wealth can be attained by working on the material plane, as the text suggests that individuals should believe in themselves and work towards their goals to achieve it.[26]

Significance in South Asia:
South Asia Books

(1) Resources and assets available within Gurjara that contribute to its richness.[27]