bk>  Do Buddhist monks take an oath of poverty? I know not all
 bk>  Catholic orders do.

According to the article and other soures yes. Buddhist monks do take
an oath of poverty. But perhaps the definition of poverty to some
faits is different.

For example a Catholic preist who rides a bus to wherever he needs to
go vs one who drives or is driven in a BMW might be percieved by his
fellows as 'taking an oath of poverty'. And as such these people might
see the oath of Buddhist monks as poverty too, but perhaps a bit
extreme.

Sort of like how some folks see roughing it when they go camping on
foot (hiking) and not have any electronic devices, or conveniences
outside that which they need to surive. (Oh say a pup tent, bedroll,
cooking pot, matches, first aid kit, waterproof clothing... a knife..
compass... water... food..) hmmm. Another group might see 'roughing
it' as taking their fully stocked Winnebago on a camping trip but
forgoe the TV and laptop computer.

I like to think most people agree that many 'ways we see / think'
things have similar roots for we are after all , human? It's only when
we try to make big deal out of a percieved difference that shouldn't
really make any difference trouble arises? And yet everybody forgets
the common root, which is what peace MIGHT come out of given a the
'light' and the nourishment' of reason we all ahve potentail for...
yeah.. but it's SO Much easier to just to war. (That is the power
people get it done for them.)

Cindy

--- PPoint 3.01