Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

The Vibhaṅgasutta has been split into the respective parts, when explaining the noble eightfold path. The Buddha’s advice when explaining what is sammā-ājīvo is precise and clear: ‘stay aloof from all wrong means of livelihood and keep your source of revenue unspoilt!’ This advice again emphasizes both aspects of vārittaṃ (avoiding, giving up) as well as cārittaṃ (performing, acting in a wholesome way), which have to be pursued and fulfilled.¹

Still, a question often remains about how even potential indirect negative corollaries or negative results of one’s profession can be avoided. At a superficial glance, it seems that maintaining sammā kammantā, the first aspect of vārittaṃ is achieved and direct harmful consequences of one’s livelihood do not occur. But how can the indirect detrimental effects of one’s livelihood, which remain in the dark, likewise be avoided so negative kammic consequences don’t ensue? How can the constructive aspect of cārittaṃ enable wholesome results with beneficial effects and facilitate a healthy kammic base? To accomplish this challenge a follower of the Buddha’s teaching has two guiding principles to address these challenges.

First, constantly checking one's volition represents a first helpful guiding principle while constantly checking one's rightfulness helps one avoid turning to unwholesome methods. In other words, honest and thorough examination of one’s volition² helps to detect whether one is, or isn’t, deluding oneself while earning and increasing profit. While honest and thorough examination of one’s intention helps to avoid turning toward evil methods that come from the disregard of righteousness. Upholding three supportive guiding principles, as described in the Pañcasīlapañcadhamma,³ further cultivates uprightness: rightness concerning actions, moral correctness regarding persons and appropriateness in regards to objects.⁴ These guiding principles are:

•  Rightness concerning actions or work means fulfilling whatever duty one is expected to perform or for which one is paid. This work should get completed to the best of one’s ability with moral conscience, earnestly and honestly in due time.

•  Moral correctness regarding persons includes fair remuneration for whatever work has been done, respecting the respective experience and dedication. It also refers to avoiding overcharging instead of asking for an honest price, taking into consideration investment, effort and reasonable profit.

•  Appropriateness in regards to objects considers material, quality and contents of the products. These must be presented truthfully, respective business transactions, sales and expiry dates must be made known honestly.

Naturally all sorts of deception, cheating, all kinds of fraud and charlatanism, gambling or bets are off limits for someone who wants to live in accordance with the principles of sammā-ājīvo.