In but not of the world : the Buddha's teachings concerning the economic life
Item and associated files
Author
Long, J. Bruce See all items with this value
Date
2006
Volume
7
Pages
130-145
ISSN
1530-4108 See all items with this value
Abstract
Traditionally, the academic study of Buddhism in the West, has focused primarily on the exploration of textual and monastic Buddhism, with significantly less emphasis on the study of the Buddhist view of the life of the laity, and in particular, the world of business and economics.
All of that has begun to change. With the maturation of the field of Buddhist Studies in all its aspects and the expansion of the influence of Buddhism nationally, an interest in the exploration of the more “this-worldly” aspects of Buddhist beliefs and practices is on the rise.
The aim of this paper is to explore those aspects of The Buddha’s teachings that instruct the layman on proper and efficacious ways of establishing a socially-responsible and successful livelihood in this world, by promoting a morally upright and comfortable lifestyle as a householder, serving as a responsible and productive citizen of his community and hopefully, at the end of his lifetime, realizing a good and blissful destiny in the world beyond.
In an attempt to illuminate the Buddha’s approach to the economic life, in general, this paper will include brief discussions of the following topics: (1) the dual focus of The Buddha’s teachings, (2) two types of desire, (3) the role of ethics in the economic life, (4) the ethic of the householder, (5) three distinctive character traits of the monk and the layperson, (6) the centrality of human action in determining the acquisition of success and wealth, and (7) profitable possessions for the advancement of life in this world and in the world beyond.
All of that has begun to change. With the maturation of the field of Buddhist Studies in all its aspects and the expansion of the influence of Buddhism nationally, an interest in the exploration of the more “this-worldly” aspects of Buddhist beliefs and practices is on the rise.
The aim of this paper is to explore those aspects of The Buddha’s teachings that instruct the layman on proper and efficacious ways of establishing a socially-responsible and successful livelihood in this world, by promoting a morally upright and comfortable lifestyle as a householder, serving as a responsible and productive citizen of his community and hopefully, at the end of his lifetime, realizing a good and blissful destiny in the world beyond.
In an attempt to illuminate the Buddha’s approach to the economic life, in general, this paper will include brief discussions of the following topics: (1) the dual focus of The Buddha’s teachings, (2) two types of desire, (3) the role of ethics in the economic life, (4) the ethic of the householder, (5) three distinctive character traits of the monk and the layperson, (6) the centrality of human action in determining the acquisition of success and wealth, and (7) profitable possessions for the advancement of life in this world and in the world beyond.