Contained within the Noble Eightfold Path's teachings of Ethics are Right Action, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood. It is Right Livelihood which I want to focus on in this article. However, I have found that one can not truly practice Right Livelihood without Right Action, and Right Speech.
The Buddha teaches that occupations which involve the trading of people (slavery, and prostitution), making and selling weapons, poisons, and intoxicants, and killing sentient beings, all violate the Noble Eightfold Path's step of Right Livelihood.
Keep in mind that the economy of 500 BC was quite different than it is now. These days so many companies that we may work for are owned by larger companies, which are owned by even larger corporations, which may be involved in a great many number of interests and industries. This makes it very difficult to know for whom we actually work.
This is why Buddha's teaching in the Maha-cattarisaka Suttra is so much more meaningful to me:
Buddha's list of occupational don'ts for Right Livelihood can make us feel as though we are on shaky ground, both professionally and ethically. But, the basics we can agree on: murder, stealing, and trading in people is an abhorrent practice, and horrifically, is still an issue in modern times. However, some occupations that many of us rely on can fall under his list of discouraged occupations. Many cultures, and economies rely on farming animals. My wife's family made their living as ethical dairy farmers. They also grew soy beans, so maybe that helped in accepting their vegetarian son-on-law! And, currently, a social battle wages in our country over guns. In fact, the day that I am writing this, another school shooting has occurred. We've seen the lines blurred between a common street drug pusher, and a doctor with a quick and loose prescription pad, prescribing harmful opioids, rather than helping a patient find a root-cause, or holistic solution to theirhealth issues. I work for a company which sells a wide variety of goods including meat and liquor. I love my job, and support my company, and I love -- LOVE -- my wine!
All this said, how do we rectify what we do for a living, while negotiating the sometimes rocky road of the Noble Eightfold Path? As Action, Speech, and Livelihood are all contained within the threefold teachings of Ethics, it is evident that each of these share a symbiotic relationship. It is not necessarily the job we have, it is how we conduct ourselves on the job that matters. It is how we treat our co-workers, bosses, and clients that matter. It is how we find gratitude in our work that matters. It is how we manage our work/life balance that matters.
I have often had to have unfortunate conversations with non-productive employees, and even employees who have stolen, or caused hostile work-place situations. I find it is these moments where disciplining an employee is where Right Action, and Right Speech are vitally important. I have learned the hard way over the years that, no matter the infraction, treating even the most frustrating employee with kindness, respect, and empathy are the keys to keeping me focused on Right Action, Speech, and Livelihood. These help to keep those difficult conversations respectful, and focused. You can be honest, and direct, yet manage to maintain one's esteem by minding your tone, and body language.
The same goes for dealing with difficult customers or clients, or as Earl Nightingale calls them, "The Boss." To paraphrase Nightingale, they can be kind, or difficult, however, they ultimately sign your paycheck.
These is no greater test of Right Action, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood, in my humble opinion, than taking care of, and serving your customers. I do not care what kind of work you do, we all serve somebody. I have been working as a customer service professional for almost thirty years. In that time, I have met some wonderful people, and those who have challenged my faith in humanity! Moreover, I have worked with many people who over complicate this industry with rules, regulations, and policy. Myself included.
Over the last few years I have reexamined my philosophy and approach on serving my customers, as well as my own Buddhist practice. As a result, I have boiled down my approach to service by these two points:
To this day, I have no better influence, and example of Right Livelihood and work ethic than my Dad. I can remember as a teenager he was working for a company that he was leaving. Despite the fact that he was soon to be leaving that job, he was still the first person in the office every morning, and would make sure to turn the lights off when he was the last to leave.
He could have said, "screw this place, so long as the check clears," but it wasn't just about a paycheck. It was about his integrity.
To this day when I am at work, I do reflect on Right Action, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood when making decisions. But rather than asking "what would Buddha do?" I ask myself, "what would Dad do?"
The Buddha teaches that occupations which involve the trading of people (slavery, and prostitution), making and selling weapons, poisons, and intoxicants, and killing sentient beings, all violate the Noble Eightfold Path's step of Right Livelihood.
Keep in mind that the economy of 500 BC was quite different than it is now. These days so many companies that we may work for are owned by larger companies, which are owned by even larger corporations, which may be involved in a great many number of interests and industries. This makes it very difficult to know for whom we actually work.
This is why Buddha's teaching in the Maha-cattarisaka Suttra is so much more meaningful to me:
"And what is wrong livelihood? Scheming, persuading, hinting, belittling, and pursuing gain with gain. This is wrong livelihood."This statement, to me, is very apt when examining the practice of Right Livelihood. It implies that in order to successfully practice Right Livelihood, one must, without exception, practice Right Action, and Right Speech in accordance with Right Livelihood.
Buddha's list of occupational don'ts for Right Livelihood can make us feel as though we are on shaky ground, both professionally and ethically. But, the basics we can agree on: murder, stealing, and trading in people is an abhorrent practice, and horrifically, is still an issue in modern times. However, some occupations that many of us rely on can fall under his list of discouraged occupations. Many cultures, and economies rely on farming animals. My wife's family made their living as ethical dairy farmers. They also grew soy beans, so maybe that helped in accepting their vegetarian son-on-law! And, currently, a social battle wages in our country over guns. In fact, the day that I am writing this, another school shooting has occurred. We've seen the lines blurred between a common street drug pusher, and a doctor with a quick and loose prescription pad, prescribing harmful opioids, rather than helping a patient find a root-cause, or holistic solution to theirhealth issues. I work for a company which sells a wide variety of goods including meat and liquor. I love my job, and support my company, and I love -- LOVE -- my wine!
All this said, how do we rectify what we do for a living, while negotiating the sometimes rocky road of the Noble Eightfold Path? As Action, Speech, and Livelihood are all contained within the threefold teachings of Ethics, it is evident that each of these share a symbiotic relationship. It is not necessarily the job we have, it is how we conduct ourselves on the job that matters. It is how we treat our co-workers, bosses, and clients that matter. It is how we find gratitude in our work that matters. It is how we manage our work/life balance that matters.
I have often had to have unfortunate conversations with non-productive employees, and even employees who have stolen, or caused hostile work-place situations. I find it is these moments where disciplining an employee is where Right Action, and Right Speech are vitally important. I have learned the hard way over the years that, no matter the infraction, treating even the most frustrating employee with kindness, respect, and empathy are the keys to keeping me focused on Right Action, Speech, and Livelihood. These help to keep those difficult conversations respectful, and focused. You can be honest, and direct, yet manage to maintain one's esteem by minding your tone, and body language.
The same goes for dealing with difficult customers or clients, or as Earl Nightingale calls them, "The Boss." To paraphrase Nightingale, they can be kind, or difficult, however, they ultimately sign your paycheck.
These is no greater test of Right Action, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood, in my humble opinion, than taking care of, and serving your customers. I do not care what kind of work you do, we all serve somebody. I have been working as a customer service professional for almost thirty years. In that time, I have met some wonderful people, and those who have challenged my faith in humanity! Moreover, I have worked with many people who over complicate this industry with rules, regulations, and policy. Myself included.
Over the last few years I have reexamined my philosophy and approach on serving my customers, as well as my own Buddhist practice. As a result, I have boiled down my approach to service by these two points:
- Treat EVERY customer as you would want your mom treated.
- Approach EVERY customer with gratitude, as they keep gas in your car, and food in your fridge.
So Right Livelihood is not that hard. Speak kindly and respectfully to all with whom you work. Act with integrity -- do not seek gain by swindling your customer, or sell them on something that you wouldn't want sold to you or your loved ones. Never put yourself in a position that would allow your integrity to be questioned. Work to your full effort, so that your behavior may earn you the respect of your employees, co-workers, customers, and supervisors.
The latter point can also be explained as Napoleon Hill's QQMA formula:
"The Quality of Service rendered + the Quantity of Service rendered + a Positive Mental Attitude, is in direct proportion to your rewards."These rewards can be financial, but most importantly, they are also rewards in the form of respect, self-esteem, and the confidence of your team, bosses, and customers.
To this day, I have no better influence, and example of Right Livelihood and work ethic than my Dad. I can remember as a teenager he was working for a company that he was leaving. Despite the fact that he was soon to be leaving that job, he was still the first person in the office every morning, and would make sure to turn the lights off when he was the last to leave.
He could have said, "screw this place, so long as the check clears," but it wasn't just about a paycheck. It was about his integrity.
To this day when I am at work, I do reflect on Right Action, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood when making decisions. But rather than asking "what would Buddha do?" I ask myself, "what would Dad do?"
