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F ORUM FORUM | EASTERN HORIZON 49

Thus, we can deduce that right ‘livelihood’ entails Right Livelihood for a Buddhist monk means he has to
restraining from actions of body and speech polluted follow more than 200 monastic rules. Lay Buddhists,
by attachment or desire for something in return. It is on the other hand, though not required to follow the
also clear from the above sutra-based definition as well monastic orders, are expected to maintain non-violence,
as from the commonly cited five instances of wrong truthfulness, generosity, and respect for all beings in
‘livelihood’ that it covers more than one’s profession. life. More specifically, Right Livelihood for lay Buddhists
means earning a living by embracing the Five Precepts.
In support of the above explanation, Chim Jampalyang
the elder cites the following lines from The Heap of Dadul: For monastics who are dependent on others for

Ethical Conduct Sūtra (Śīlaskandhikā) and says that their food, clothing, shelter, and medicine, practicing
actions of watching and listening etc. to sights and right living is essential. Guided by Acharya Nagarjuna’s
sounds etc. that are not proper objects of indulgence final chapter in Precious Garland, this entails
(in this case by monastics) also constitute wrong abandoning the five ways of wrong living:
‘livelihood’. The above sūtra says: (1) Hypocrisy is pretending to have qualities that one
Monastics who have enjoyed donations out of faith, if they does not have in expectation of receiving a favor.
use those donations for idle pleasures such as watching (2) Flattery involves saying pleasant and sweet words
elephant fights, horse fights, chariot fights, wrestling and to others with the motivation of acquiring something.
so forth, it is wrong ‘livelihood’. (3) Hinting is not asking directly for something one
needs but intimating it.
It’s my opinion that it may be better rendered as (4) Coercion is using one’s power or status to influence
“Right Living”, or “Wrong Living” as opposed to Right them to give something.
Livelihood or Wrong Livelihood. (5) Desiring profit for profit or bribery is either
praising a past gift or giving someone a small gift in
How is the practice of Right Livelihood among expectation of receiving another gift or a big gift in
monastics different from that of the lay community? return.

Aggacitta: For the bhikkhus, it is definitely more refined For lay practitioners, right ‘livelihood’ means living
and subtle, as can be seen above, because it is related honestly, without deceit or lies and without cheating
to manipulative behaviour to circumvent the many others by overcharging, embezzling, exploitation, and so
Vinaya rules governing interaction with lay people for on driven by attachment for something.
support. The whole purpose is to train them to remain
content with whatever the faithful give, especially those How can work become meaningful so that it deepens
who have not formally invited the bhikkhus to ask for our awareness and kindness and becomes a support,
requisites. A bhikkhu should also be easily supported, and not a hindrance, to our spiritual practice?
especially by blood relatives and those who have
formally invited him. Aggacitta: Simple: reduce your desires, be content. As
the Dhammapada #204 says:
Min Wei: The basic principles of Right Livelihood among Good health is the greatest gain,
monastics and the lay community are quite different. Contentment is the greatest wealth,
According to Mahayana Buddhism, the monastic life Fellowship is the greatest relative,
should be based primarily on preparing us to gain Nibbāna is the greatest happiness.
insight into the Dharma and to arise our Awakening When Siddhatta was still striving to be a Buddha, he
Mind, i.e. the wish to become a Buddha in order to help contemplated the enjoyment of worldly pleasures, their
all beings. However, a lay practitioner strives to observe drawbacks and the escape from them. When he realised
ethical standards in order to achieve a better rebirth in that he had to go through much suffering in order to
future lives.