Bus Bench’s post on religion and public transit provoked some thoughts of mine.

As a noob to the Buddhist way (not even quite sure which type of Buddhism I will follow), I have often found myself wondering what would Buddha do as I get repeatedly cut off by inconsiderate or dangerous drivers? Bus Bench asks what would Jesus drive?

If Buddha or Jesus lived in Vegas, I think they would certainly take the bus. (I frankly will take the bus in any other city except Vegas. It frightens me.)

Ms. Molyneux says:

“The big key in sustainability that is missing is the reach out to the community component. When you take public transit you have a potential for an even larger sustainable community, at least in Los Angeles…What if the Buddha just talked to his disciples? What if the Jesus only talked to his disciples? What if Buddha and Jesus never talked to anyone except for the people who could pay them or went to college with them or hung out in the same social circles as them?”

A growing problem with the sustainable crowd is that sustainability is becoming a sign of affluence. Raley’s has its own organic section, in a far off corner of the store where milk costs three times as much. If I’m in the regular, poorer parts of the store (and poor is really relative here), I have to walk all the way to the other side of the store for Silk Soy Milk. I didn’t realize that soy milk was so hoity-toity.

But as you can see – these sustainable folks are saying “we’re different from you” and even “we’re better than you.” They make clear divisions between themselves and the community at large.

An electric car wouldn’t bring someone closer to the community – it would only give you more status in an already limited definition of their community.

So who are we as commuters?