The Buddha’s Teachings on Prosperity: At Home, At Work, In the World
January 26, 2010 by easyhome
Filed under Work at Home Books
For those of us unable to devote hours to meditation and study, the long journey to enlightenment can be difficult to integrate with our daily lives. We may have access to Buddhist teachings, but specific guidance on how to conduct ourselves in the work-a-day world may be missing. This remarkable guide fills that gap, and directs “laypeople” toward a fuller, more spiritual life, by suggesting ways to bring skillful, spiritual practice to everyday responsibilities and concerns. …
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This little book is one of the most important English-language books on the teachings of the Buddha. The author has chosen a unique topic, focusing on the moral and ethical foundations of Buddhism as applied in our daily lives. There is actually very little on the philosophical principles of Buddhism, which are covered at length in other books from Theravada scholars, of which I would recommend “What the Buddha Taught”. However, it is one of the most approachable books ever written by a Sri Lanka monk; written in clear English and very easy to read. I’ve found over the years that many of the books I study from are difficult even more experienced students of Buddhism. This book, however, is the one book that I can recommend wholeheartedly, above all others, to any of my American friends who are interested in learning about Buddhism.
The vast majority of the books on the market talk about the coret soteriological teachings on the Four Noble Truths, the three characteristics of existence and so on. With such an overwhelming amount of books on these topics (which was primarily taught to the monks) the teachings of the Buddha to the lay people on work, relationships, finances and so on get easily relegated to the point of almost nonexistence. This book does a great job through erudite scholarship of combating this trend. Through a total of fourteen chapters, the author lays out from suttas in the Pali Canon what the Buddha had to say on important things we encounter in our everyday life: how to make sensible decisions, how best to make a living, how we should ideally deal with money, the qualities of good friends and so on. This very down to earth book is a pleasure to read and conveys eloquently an ancient voice that thousands of years later still resonates with us today.
It is a very well written book with practical wisdom to be applied on our daily lives. For those who are not (yet) interested in deeper subjects of Buddhism like the Four Noble Truths, the Four Seals, and eventually Emptiness, this a very good starting point to live a happier life. By following these profund advices on the Buddha’s Wisdom and applying them in our relationships with others, you will find more inner peace and joy. A very good buy.