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F ORUM TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 533
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Take note of the qualifier above: one who is interested importantly, irrespective of the profession, one should
in it and listens with eager ears. All of us are at different work on cultivating the right motivation before and
stages of spiritual maturity. When the time is not during the career process, including opting to disagree
yet ripe no amount of persuasion or propaganda with the mission statements of the company yet
can be useful. On the contrary it might even be performing the assigned duty without fail as long as one
counterproductive, resulting in outright rejection and is compelled to stay with them.
animosity. So, wisdom and discretion is important to be
clearly aware of the right timing, taking into account the Written by Geshe Dadul Namgyal and edited by Martha
mood and receptivity of the person, the suitability of the Leslie Baker.
place where you want to speak, the tone of your voice,
your body language as well as your choice of words.

Venerable Āyasmā Aggacitta is
The Buddha also gave a set of guidelines for well-spoken
the founder of the Sāsanārakkha
8
speech which must be (1) beneficial, (2) truthful, (3)
Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) in
timely, (4) polite and said with mettā.
Taiping, Perak, a Pāli scholar and a
meditation teacher.
If introspective mindfulness and clear awareness has
become second nature to you, it will become clear that
trying to change your bad habits is a difficult task that
Geshe Dadul Namgyal is a Geshe
requires persistence. If you want to try to change others
Lharampa and senior resident
be prepared for a marathon armed with the stamina of
teacher at Drepung Loseling
patience, loving kindness and compassion.
Monastery in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

So, remember to fulfil all these qualities before you try
Ven. Min Wei is a teacher of e-learning at the
to preach to others.
International Buddhist College (IBC) and an
independent translator of Buddhism. EH
Min Wei: In fact, Right Livelihood is an important aspect
of the Noble Eightfold Path. Therefore, the Buddha
encouraged his disciples to engage in compassionate
acts and to make their living in a way that does not
cause harm and is part of the “moral conduct” of the
righteous path.

As the Buddha says: “When the noble disciple, avoiding
wrong living, gets his livelihood by a right way of
living—this is called ‘Mundane Right Livelihood,’ which
yields worldly fruits and brings beneficial results.”
Therefore, no matter if we are Buddhists or not, we
should keep in mind that that all beings have the right
to be treated with dignity and respect.

Dadul: Given the option, it would be preferable to opt
for careers that are by their very nature and effects
beneficial to beings and society, in the first place. More

8 Vācā Sutta (AN 5.198).