In the U.S., for example, even a very modest income provides a standard of living that is more comfortable, privileged, easier, and luxurious than the vast majority of human beings living on the planet. However, because human nature is to continually judge one's contentment in relation to what others may have, few people are truly content or satisfied with their respective situation in life. Middle class people envy upper middle class people, upper middle class people envy the comparatively wealthy, and even the very wealthy covet the homes, possessions, and status of the immensely wealthy. In that respect, the Buddha's analysis of the human condition would be tremendously useful in connection with the importance of realizing that seeking contentment through the accumulation of material possessions or achievement of social status is analogous to trying to fill a cup full of holes.

As a general principle, the application of Buddhism would...
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