“Right Livelihood”

In this chapter, the step or tenet in Buddhism termed “right livelihood” is examined. This is one of the steps in the Eight-Fold Path, the last of which is right concentration. The chapter first points out that, since Buddhism tends to frame things in negative terms, right livelihood in Buddhist scriptures is defined mostly by what to avoid. This includes business in weapons, human beings, meat, intoxicants, and poison. Some dialogs featuring the Buddha and holders of such occupations as actor or soldier are discussed. Finally, the words of the sage Jiddu Krishnamurti regarding right livelihood are appraised; it is shown that he largely adopted and even extended the proscriptions of Buddhist literature.