Earning a Living with Integrity

Terms

Sanskrit : Samyag-Ājīva (सम्यगाजीव)

Pali : Sammā-Ājīva

Etymology

The term is composed of:

— Samyag / Sammā: right, harmonious, correct;

— Ājīva: means of livelihood, way of life, profession.

Right Livelihood means:

« earning one's living ethically »

or

« engaging in an activity compatible with wisdom and compassion ».

Translations in the major languages of Buddhism

Sanskrit: Samyag-Ājīva

Pali: Sammā-Ājīva

Chinese: 正命 (Zhèng Mìng)

Tibetan: ཡང་དག་པའི་འཚོ་བ་ (Yangdakpé Tsowa)

Japanese: 正命 (Shōmyō)

Korean: 정명 (Jeongmyeong)

Vietnamese: Chánh Mạng

Thai: สัมมาอาชีวะ (Samma Ajiva)

English: Right Livelihood

French: Right Livelihood

Definition

Right Livelihood is the fifth branch of the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Buddha teaches that our way of earning a living profoundly influences:

— our mind;

— our behavior;

— our relationship with others;

— our contribution to the world.

Work is not separate from spiritual practice.

It is fully a part of it.

The fundamental principle

A professional activity becomes right when it:

— does not harm beings;

— respects human dignity;

— promotes honesty;

— contributes to well-being rather than suffering.

Right Livelihood connects ethics to daily life.

Activities discouraged by the Buddha

In several ancient texts, the Buddha particularly discourages activities based on:

— trade in human beings;

— trade in weapons;

— trade in poisons;

— certain forms of exploitation or deception;

— activities that directly cause suffering.

The spirit of this teaching remains more important than the list itself.

An ever-relevant reflection

Today, the question remains:

Does my activity contribute more to life or to suffering?

This reflection may concern:

— businesses;

— institutions;

— associations;

— independent professions;

— digital activities.

Right Livelihood and the living world

Buddhism invites us to consider the consequences of our activities on:

— human beings;

— animals;

— plants;

— ecosystems;

— future generations.

Every profession participates in shaping the world.

A path of coherence

Right Livelihood does not demand perfection.

It invites us to progressively reduce contradictions between:

what we think,

what we say,

and what we do.

This coherence nourishes inner peace.

Understanding according to traditions

THERAVADA

Right Livelihood belongs to the domain of ethics (Sīla).

MAHAYANA

Professional activity becomes a concrete means of serving beings.

VAJRAYANA

Every activity can become a support for transformation when performed with awareness and right motivation.

Associated images and symbols

THE HAND AT WORK

Conscious human activity.

THE GRAIN OF WHEAT

The fruit of honest effort.

THE TREE

Harmonious and sustainable growth.

THE SCALE

Balance between success and responsibility.

Associated concepts

019NOBLEPATH

020VIEWRIGHT

021INTENTIONRIGHT

022SPEECHRIGHT

023ACTIONRIGHT

025EFFORTRIGHT

028_COMPASSION

046_SILA

Quote

« May his means of livelihood be pure and free from deception. »

— Teaching inspired by the Pali Canon

Buddhachannel — A simple practice

Take a few moments to reflect on your daily activity.

Simply ask yourself this question:

« Does what I do today contribute to more life, understanding, or well-being? »

It is not necessary to change the world in one day.

Sometimes, a simple adjustment in our way of working can already become an act of wisdom.

Keywords

Right Livelihood • Sammā-Ājīva • Work • Ethics • Responsibility • Noble Path • Integrity • Compassion • Sīla • Buddhism

Buddhachannel Multilingual Buddhist Encyclopedia

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