Right Livelihood is earning a living in a righteous way, staying away from occupations that harm oneself and others, other living beings.
A Buddhist practitioner, following the path of the Noble Eightfold Path, after achieving right view, thought, speech, and action, still needs to live amidst life’s demands for food, clothing, shelter to protect from the elements, and other necessities for a comfortable life. They must have a job or profession to support themselves and their families. However, in a world rife with greed and hatred, filled with theft, deceit, and scheming, choosing a profession that supports a righteous livelihood is not easy.
As society advances and the standard of living increases, so too do the demands and desires that need to be satisfied. Therefore, everyone plunges into work to earn money, regardless of the profession, as long as it brings in money. There are those who earn money without considering ethics or morality. Some earn money through cunning and deceitful means. Some earn money at the cost of losing their humanity. Some pursue wealth regardless of the risk of imprisonment. Some seek profits without caring for others’ lives. Some amass wealth regardless of cruelty or brutality…
Seeing the moral and ethical decline and degradation, surely a virtuous person or one with conscience will not follow these corrupt paths to make money; instead, they will choose relatively harmless professions to keep their minds and hands clean. Not just now but since ancient times, the Buddha advised both men and women to avoid five harmful trades, considered wrong livelihoods, summarized as follows:
- The business of butchery, killing animals.
- The trade in weapons, explosives, and instruments of death.
- Trading in humans, slavery, or the flesh of beings for slaughter.
- Trading in poisons and toxic substances.
- Trading in intoxicants and drugs (including all types of narcotics today).
If one can avoid these five types of trades, those of intelligence following the path of Right Livelihood must also possess conscience and responsibility in their chosen profession. For example, a teacher must be conscientious and responsible. Likewise, a physician should be ethical and responsible. Journalists, writers, drivers, nurses, farmers, artists, civil servants, shop owners, engineers… all must act with conscience and responsibility.
What is Right Livelihood?
Right Livelihood is a significant concept within the broader ethical framework of Buddhism, specifically as the fifth aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is the primary guidance for Buddhist practice and realization of the ultimate truth, Nirvana.
The term “Right Livelihood” (Samma Ajiva in Pali) refers to an ethical standard for how an individual should earn a living. It encompasses the necessity of earning one’s living in a manner that is not harmful to others and is congruous with moral and ethical principles. The basis of this concept rests on the fundamental Buddhist principle of non-harming (ahimsa) and compassion towards all sentient beings.
In Buddhist discourses, particularly in the Anguttara Nikaya of the Pali Canon, it is explicitly stated that certain occupations are inconsistent with the notion of Right Livelihood. These include dealing in weapons, living beings (including slave trade and prostitution), meat, intoxicating drinks and poisons. These occupations are viewed as intrinsically harmful and exploitative, leading to suffering either directly or indirectly.
Furthermore, Right Livelihood extends beyond the simple choice of occupation. It also concerns the manner in which one conducts oneself within their chosen occupation. This includes honesty, integrity, and fairness in one’s dealings, and not engaging in deceit, fraud, or other forms of unethical behavior. In essence, one’s occupation and actions within it should not be driven by greed, hatred, or delusion, the three root poisons in Buddhist philosophy.
In a broader sense, Right Livelihood also reflects an attitude of mindfulness and conscientiousness toward one’s actions and their consequences. It encourages personal responsibility not only for one’s actions but also for the collective impact of these actions on society and the environment. As such, it is closely interconnected with other aspects of the Eightfold Path, such as Right Action and Right Intention.
The Role of Right Livelihood in the Eightfold Path
The role of Right Livelihood in the Eightfold Path is a vital and interconnected aspect of this comprehensive Buddhist path to liberation, emphasizing ethical conduct and personal responsibility in the economic sphere of life.
The Eightfold Path, or the Noble Eightfold Path as it is commonly known, is the Buddha’s prescription for the cessation of suffering (dukkha). It consists of eight interdependent components: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. These components are typically divided into three categories: wisdom (panna), ethical conduct (sila) and mental discipline (samadhi).
Right Livelihood is a part of the ethical conduct division, alongside Right Speech and Right Action. This underscores the importance of ethical considerations in all aspects of life, including one’s profession and economic activities. The role of Right Livelihood is to ensure that one’s means of sustenance does not involve harm to oneself or others and does not contradict the principles of compassion, non-harming and mindfulness.
Right Livelihood’s interconnectedness with the other factors of the Eightfold Path is crucial to understanding its role. For instance, it is closely linked to Right Understanding, the first factor of the Eightfold Path, which involves a correct understanding of the Four Noble Truths, including the truth of suffering and the cessation of suffering. Without this comprehension, one may fail to see the ethical implications of one’s livelihood.
Similarly, Right Livelihood is inextricably linked with Right Intention, which involves the cultivation of intentions rooted in renunciation, goodwill and harmlessness. This factor informs Right Livelihood by motivating individuals to choose and conduct their work in ways that align with these intentions.
Moreover, Right Livelihood is directly related to Right Action, which advises against harming living beings, stealing, and sexual misconduct. Right Livelihood extends this guidance into the realm of work and business, offering specific prohibitions against harmful occupations.
Finally, Right Livelihood also relates to the aspects of the Eightfold Path concerning mental discipline, namely Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. A right livelihood requires mindfulness to recognize and abstain from unethical activities, effort to maintain ethical conduct, and concentration to stay focused and undistracted by unethical opportunities.
Benefits of Practicing Right Livelihood
Practicing Right Livelihood has far-reaching benefits that extend beyond personal morality and ethics. Its impacts span individual, social, and environmental dimensions, contributing to an overall sense of well-being and harmony.
Personal ethical development: Right Livelihood encourages an individual to align their professional life with the Buddhist principles of non-harming, honesty and compassion. This ethical alignment fosters a sense of integrity, self-respect and dignity. By choosing a livelihood that does not cause harm or exploitation, individuals can live in accordance with their values, leading to an enhanced sense of self-worth and inner peace.
Cultivation of mindful awareness: The practice of Right Livelihood necessitates mindfulness and conscientiousness about one’s actions and their consequences. It cultivates an acute awareness of the interconnectedness of one’s life with the lives of others and the natural environment. This enhanced consciousness can lead to a greater understanding of the Buddhist concept of interdependence and contribute to personal spiritual growth.
Reduced suffering: Buddhism’s primary aim is to alleviate suffering. By practicing Right Livelihood, individuals avoid professions and actions that directly or indirectly cause harm or suffering to themselves or others. This can lead to a reduction in personal and societal suffering.
Social harmony: When more individuals adopt Right Livelihood, there is a collective shift towards fairer, more equitable, and less exploitative economic practices. This can promote social harmony, mutual respect, and a sense of community, fostering more peaceful and compassionate societies.
Environmental stewardship: Right Livelihood, with its emphasis on non-harming and interdependence, can inspire more sustainable economic practices. By choosing livelihoods that respect rather than exploit the natural environment, individuals contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Progress on the path to enlightenment: The practice of Right Livelihood is a crucial step on the Eightfold Path, the path leading to the cessation of suffering and the realization of Nirvana. By practicing Right Livelihood, individuals progress on this path, moving closer to the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
How to Practice Right Livelihood in Daily Life
The practice of Right Livelihood in daily life involves a conscientious approach to one’s professional activities, guided by the principles of non-harming, honesty and mindfulness.
Choosing an ethical occupation: The first step is to choose a profession that aligns with the principles of Right Livelihood. As per traditional Buddhist texts, this would mean avoiding professions that involve harm to sentient beings, dealing in weapons, humans, meat, intoxicants and poisons. In contemporary terms, this would extend to any occupation causing harm or exploiting humans, animals, or the environment.
Acting with integrity: Right Livelihood is not solely about the choice of profession but also about how one conducts oneself within that profession. Practitioners should strive to act with honesty, integrity and fairness in their professional dealings. This includes avoiding deceit, fraud, exploitation, and any other forms of unethical behavior.
Cultivating mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness in one’s professional life is a key aspect of Right Livelihood. This involves being fully present and aware in one’s work, making conscious choices, and being mindful of the impact of one’s actions on others and the environment.
Promoting positive impact: Practicing Right Livelihood also involves actively seeking ways to benefit others and the environment through one’s work. This could involve contributing to socially beneficial projects, promoting sustainability, or using one’s profession as a platform to advocate for ethical causes.
Continual reflection: The practice of Right Livelihood is an ongoing process that involves regular reflection and adjustment. Practitioners should continually reassess their professional life in light of Buddhist principles.
Balancing livelihood and life: Right Livelihood also involves maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Overworking can lead to stress, burnout, and other forms of suffering, which are contrary to the Buddhist path. Practitioners should strive to balance their professional commitments with personal development, relationships and leisure.
In conclusion, practicing Right Livelihood is not a one-time choice but an ongoing process of reflection, adjustment, and growth, guided by the core Buddhist principles of non-harming, honesty and mindfulness. By practicing Right Livelihood, individuals can align their professional life with their spiritual path, contributing to their own well-being and the well-being of the world.
