The art of living and society: Greek vs Buddhist: Comparison and analysis

 What does it mean to be a human being naturally? Human nature is by far similar and has not changed over time appreciably. The way all humans think, feel, and act naturally is more or less similar worldwide. Humans have virtues and vices: the vices need to be conquered and virtues nurtured for a healthy society and healthy oneself. Most of the world civilizations have put forth their own interpretations of life and way and art of living. Let us compare the Greek and Buddhist way of living and analyse them!

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Greek art of living

Ancient Greeks have promoted their concept of healthy and meaningful life. It has taken into consideration the normal human nature. Humans by nature are gregarious. They are social animals who like to belong and enjoy life. 

Humans by nature are gregarious (Source: Medium)

Also, read about the confused disciples of Vipassana!

The Greeks strongly believed that life gets meaning when you get together and share and care and support others. They want people to uphold moral values and not harm anyone. They want people to be sensitive and aware of the goings-on around them. Know thyself first would help people to overcome their own issues and understand their coping power and weaknesses. 

This philosophy of life is a boost to the nature of a human being: attachment and reactions to situations.

The Buddhist way of living (Vipassana)

Buddhists too believe in an insight of self and the reality of life. The teachings promote kindness and compassion. But they talk of detachments and non-reactivity in dealing with each other and people. They want people to function as islands so that their unhappiness comes down. They believe that this is true joy. But this is against human nature. The net result is that people following this particular path of living appear overtly happy and content and peaceful. But inside them they are struggling: struggling to go against their normal self and human nature. They stop laughing and move around with a serious face. This might appear okay temporarily but would be detrimental in the long run. It could create mental issues in the person and progress and development might be hampered. The very essense and meaning of life is questioned here. It pushes a person to the stage where neither happiness nor sorrow seems to matter to the person. The life would be similar to a robot or a mechanical gadget and would be less human!!!

Hence, if we analyze the two ways of living one can see that the Greek method is more synchronizing with human nature and can add real meaning to life! Why not go for it?