Right Livelyhood

#5 Right Livelihood

Ajiva

A monk on alms round in the UK

Right livelihood means to earn a living in a righteous way, without causing harm to other beings.

 

The Buddha mentions four specific activities that should be avoided.

They are as follows;

 

• Dealing in weapons. 
• Dealing in living beings. Includes raising animals for slaughter.
• Dealing in slavery or prostitution. 
• Selling intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs.

 

This does not mean that people involved in these livelihoods cannot practise Buddhism. Most likely they would want to cease trading in unethical ways after some time of study and practise.

 

A Monks Livelyhood

Within some traditions ordained monks are not permitted to even touch money or request food and drink; they must wait to be offered. This meant that the communities within which the monks lived understood this arrangement and offered food freely. The Buddha intended that monks should remain in constant contact with the lay people and performing alms rounds in the local villages ensured this. Lay people also offered food directly to the monasteries. He also ruled that monks should not eat after 12 noon, this was to stop monks from turning up at all times of day and bothering the people in the villages. It is also easier to meditate with an empty stomach and much healthier not to eat later in the day. However Monks are permitted to drink water or tea without milk in the afternoon and evenings.  Clothing is also offered to the monks in the form of robes; it is very important that they look after and respect the items offered and ensure that they last as long as possible, after all people would stop giving to a wasteful monastery.