3.6.14

Lesson 3.6.14 Mahācattārīsakasuttaṃ, Part Five – Discerning Wrong Livelihood and Developing Right Livelihood

The Mahācattārīsakasutta emphasizes both the mundane and supramundane aspects of sammā-ājīvo (right livelihood). Mundane, or worldly, right livelihood is a prerequisite for the supramundane and is considered a firm component of sīla (moral conduct). While the lokiya right livelihood is recognised as a firm constituent of sīla (sīlakkhandhasampayuttā), the lokuttara factor arises as a path factor at the moment when the path is realised (maggakkhaṇe). The Visuddhimaggo highlights that this mundane factor is characterized by the "lessening of wishes and contentment" and emphasises that all three mundane factors of sīla are firmly encompassed by the hand of confidence (saddhāhatthena) and thus constitute the sīla as advocated by the noble ones (ariyakantasīlattā). Essentially, the mundane practice of right livelihood lays the necessary groundwork for achieving the supramundane, which is the path to spiritual awakening.