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Wealth and the Right Livelihood

DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
edited February 2012 in General Banter
Then Anathapindika the householder went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there the Blessed One said to him: "There are these five benefits that can be obtained from wealth. Which five?

"There is the case where the disciple of the noble ones — using the wealth earned through his efforts & enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained — provides himself with pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. He provides his mother & father with pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. He provides his children, his wife, his slaves, servants, & assistants with pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. This is the first benefit that can be obtained from wealth.

"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones — using the wealth earned through his efforts & enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained — provides his friends & associates with pleasure & satisfaction, and maintains that pleasure rightly. This is the second benefit that can be obtained from wealth.

"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones — using the wealth earned through his efforts & enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained — wards off from calamities coming from fire, flood, kings, thieves, or hateful heirs, and keeps himself safe. This is the third benefit that can be obtained from wealth.

"Furthermore, the disciple of the noble ones — using the wealth earned through his efforts & enterprise, amassed through the strength of his arm, and piled up through the sweat of his brow, righteous wealth righteously gained — performs the five oblations: to relatives, guests, the dead, kings, & devas. This is the fourth benefit that can be obtained from wealth.


http://www.hinduwebsite.com/buddhism/wealth.asp

Comments

  • This is very useful for those members who have asked if it's ok to be ambitious in their work, to strive to get ahead, and so forth. Good find, Leon.
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    Thanks Dakini!:) Glad you enjoying my posts!
  • Yes the buddha did go around teaching the dharma in different ways to different people simplybecause everyone is, different. Clever guy. Of course the middle way is always the way, working hard for money and wealth is one thing, but when somebody becomes attached to the whole thing and negative outcomes start to come into being, that is a different side of the coin.
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    edited February 2012
    You should look up the story about the bliss of well-earned wealth vs. the bliss of blamelessness.
  • @ThailandTom Notice he teaches not to wallow in the wealth, but to spread it around the family and staff, to benefit everyone. So there's a sense of social responsibility that comes with wealth, is the message. (Not to mention the donations to the sangha the Buddha was probably hoping for...)
  • Why did you cut out the fifth one?
  • Excellent. I've read this one. It rings with truth and power. That's how wealth should be used - in a socially responsible manner.
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    Why did you cut out the fifth one?
    I didn't. You will have to go to the link provided. :)
  • @Leon, the reason the fifth was not included is not in the link ;)
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    GOSH:( You caught me!!!
  • Curiosity is all!!
  • I go through all your leads Leon! you got some sick ones up... thanks, it was a great read - I thought maybe you were trying to steer away from offerings and heaven etc.
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    I go through all your leads Leon! you got some sick ones up... thanks, it was a great read - I thought maybe you were trying to steer away from offerings and heaven etc.
    HAHA!:) Glad you changed your mind...Or did you? :)
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    And thanks!
  • I did - now I'm going with Jeff's 'curiosity is all'!! :)
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