Right Livelihood

One of the simplest (and most popular in today’s media) interpretations then is “right livelihood” equals “work that does no harm.”

As Buddhism has become increasingly visible in the West, it is clear that the predominant form it is taking here is that of the lay practitioner or householder. According to the Buddha, there are several things conducive to the happiness of the layperson:

• The practice of moral behavior, such as honesty, compassion, and ethics.
• Having good friends.
• Mastering a profession.
• Philanthropy and gift-giving.
• Financial security and freedom from debt.

In several texts, Buddha adds dimension to the meaning of right livelihood by going beyond the usual listing of unacceptable jobs like selling arms, drugs, sex, meat, or poison to discuss the household or economic aspects of right livelihood.

In one such text, Buddha advises laypeople about keeping their books in balance:

“Just as the goldsmith, or an apprentice of his, knows, on holding up a balance, that by so much it has dipped down, by so much it has tilted up; even so a householder, knowing his income and expenses leads a balanced life, neither extravagant nor miserly, knowing thus that his income will stand in excess of his expenses, but not his expenses in excess of his income.”

Dighajanu Sutta

In other words:

Don’t allow more cash to go out than you have coming in.

That seems like good, common-sense advice. We may want to reflect, however, on the deeper meaning of such advice.

Buddha’s teachings are always multi-level and it doesn’t take much effort to see that the idea of a life in which income and expenditure are balanced can also apply to the over-riding “household” of our socio-economic and ecological realms.

The Eightfold Path

Ultimately, right livelihood includes the practice of all facets of Buddha’s “eightfold path” with, perhaps, special emphasis on mindfulness.

Mindfully balancing the costs and benefits of our individual, familial, community, and cultural lives thus becomes the practice of knowing our place in the world and learning from that what “right/complete/perfect” actions may be required of us

• in our personal life
• in the care of our family and community
• in building a more just and sustainable society

Traditionally, Buddhism encourages us to make our living in ways that avoid:

• deceit
• treachery
• trickery
• usury

As mentioned above, five occupations are specifically condemned—those that trade in:

• arms
• living beings
• the flesh of animals
• intoxicants
• poison

You cannot practice right livelihood in isolation. Even if you refrain from the five prohibited trades—even if you have a job that does not require deceit, treachery, trickery, or usury—you must still attempt to apply moral guidelines to

• your thought
• your speech
• your action
• your effort
• your mindfulness practice
• your mastery of contemplation

It is not enough for your job to be deeply meaningful; it must also provide you with the opportunity to practice mindfulness in everyday life.

This will create a context for self-development and the realization of your full potential.