Buddhists: Best Time for Compassion is Now

Despite the economic downturn, this may be the best time to practice Right Livelihood, or compassion–a founding principle of Buddhism–while earning a living, according to Buddhists from the area.

So, are we in the mindset of Rigth Livelihood as we go about our daily jobs?

It may seem like an odd question considering 15 to 20 million people are either unemployed or under-employed in the United States. Then again, maybe this is the best time to ask the question.

According to Buddhism, one of the teachings of the religion's creator, Buddha, includes Right Livelihood, who seek to earn one's living in a righteous way.

The Buddha specified four activities to avoid: dealing in weapons, dealing in living beings–including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution–working in meat production and butchery, and selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs.

He also advised avoiding any other occupation that would violate the principles of ‘Right Speech’ and ‘Right Action.”

So how do modern Buddhists integrate these principles into their lives?

For Joshua W. C. Cutler, Scholar and Executive Director of the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in Washington, NJ, the concept of ‘Right Livelihood’ is seeking a profession or livelihood in which we can practice compassion.

Cutler and his wife, Diana, began studying Buddhism at the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center (TBLC) that was established in 1958 by Geshe Ngawang Wangyal, a Kalmyk-Mongolian guru.

The Cutlers now serve as volunteer stewards of the facility and take direction from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The TBLC was the first Tibetan Buddhist dharma center in the West, and since then has received His Holiness the Dalai Lama six times since 1984 when he first visited to consecrate the temple built on the property.

Guiding Principle: ‘Do No Harm’

“As Buddhists, we try our best to be helpful to others but at least not to harm. This is the practice of compassion. So Right Livelihood would be to choose a livelihood that helps you to follow this fundamental Buddhist principle," said Cutler.

He said he believes the livelihoods that best fall into this category are that of a teacher or working in the medical profession.

“However, in any livelihood we choose we can bring in our Buddhist practice by always cultivating an attitude that what we are doing is for the purpose of helping others,” said Cutler.

Given the parameters of Right Livelihood set forth by the Buddha, is it more difficult to practice in modern times?

For Cutler, it might even be easier to practice Right Livelihood today.

“Because we are not all living on a subsistence level, we have more of an opportunity to choose a livelihood that serves society and doesn't bring harm to any living being,” said Cutler.

What Are the Perks of Right Livelihood? 

It appears that practicing Right Livelihood is not simply a moral obligation, it has practical results.

“We all have to cultivate this helpful attitude on an individual basis. The lack of harmony amongst people in the world is because they have neglected their ability to develop compassion,” said Cutler.

He said, “Being compassionate is helpful to one's self because one will be a lot happier and one's compassion will cause others to be more compassionate, and this will radiate outwards to the whole of society and the entire world.”

On Sunday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center will host the annual Fesitval of Maitreya. The festival was established in 1965 by the late Geshe Ngawang Wangyal, founder of the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center, to honor a tradition that began with his teacher Lama Ngawang Dorjieff, a religious assistant to the Thirteenth Dalai Lama.