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In line with the approach of Western culture, some monks are Greed is part of human nature and has always existed in human
portrayed as celebrity, very much like the film stars of Hollywood. society. However, under the pretext of globalisation, greed is now
Their organisations and followers carefully planed and fashioned an exploited to the fullest and even institutionalised. Many financial
image for them, through the use of mass media like TV, newspapers, instruments are now created, not so much to generate goods and
and publications. Followers proudly used Hollywood terms like services but more to induce people to make quick bucks out of
“handsome”, and “funny” to describe their masters, and of course borrowed or virtual capital. This is casino economy and is a form
peppered with some Buddhist terms like “enlightened”, “wise and of institutionalised greed. As a result of this, “greed” has taken the
compassionate”. centre stage in all human affairs.

The wasteful, consumer driven value system of the imperial Hitherto, human beings have always occupied the centre
culture is now apparent among many Buddhist organisations, stage in all worldly affairs. With the advent of Greedabalisation,
particularly those coming from foreign countries. While on the that central position is now taken over by “greed” or “money”.
one hand, these organisations preach environmental conservation, Humanity has been alienated.
saying that it is a Buddhist practice, on the other hand, they spend
lavishly when organising activities (like spending a huge sum of This alienation of humanity means that traditionally cherished
money on opening ceremony gimmicks) and piling up heaps of human qualities such as love, compassion, generosity, truthfulness,
paper cups and plates after each event. They apparently do not see mutual respect…are now marginalised. What is more cherished
the contradiction of their preaching and practice. now are money, wealth, fame, social status…, or in short, greed.

Of course, this is not to say that there is nothing worth learning This alienation of humanity posed a great challenge to Buddhism.
from Western culture. The critical issue is how do Buddhists adjust Buddhism is a humanistic religion. It upholds the supremacy and
and adapt themselves to the onslaught of a new culture without dignity of the human race. It advocates the development of human
sacrificing their original and valuable culture by upholding the qualities to the highest level. This human-centred approach of
Dharma. Buddhism is in contrast to the greed-centred approach of the present
greedabalised world. The two are diametrically opposite and cannot
Alienation of Humanity be easily reconciled.

Economic globalisation, which is borderless, spins around the Yet many Buddhist leaders and organisations do not see this.
axis of liberalisation. The whole basis of this economy is based They seem to succumb themselves to greedabalisation without
on arousing and exploiting human greed. Globalisation is therefore even been aware of it. In Malaysia, and in many other countries,
aptly called Greedabalisation by some. Buddhists now proudly talk about the “success” or “achievement”

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