INTERMEDIATE PAPER 1 : WHAT WE SEEK IN LIFE

MODULE 1: Seeking Wealth

What do we seek in life?

A big question to ask but multiple answers to reply?  Which one do you seek? 

Health …

Wealth …

Happiness …

Spiritual Bliss …

Mercy of the God …?

Whatever we seek, be it material or spiritual, be it for one self, others or both, we can deduce it into one simple word - Happiness.

In the formula for Seeking Happiness, we shall explore it in seven directions.

1.       Having ( wealth, health, friendship, … )

2.       Not having ( anger, worry, fear, …  )

3.       Giving

4.       Giving up

5.       Proper Conduct ( speech, action, livelihood)

6.       Reflection ( contentment, blessings, … ) and

7.       Right Understanding.

True happiness can only be attained if we practice all the above avenues correctly.  Therefore for the rest of the lessons we shall carefully examine each one of them closely to acquire the right methodology in achieving the objective.

In seeking happiness one must not seek by daydreaming
but by wayfaring.

We can begin with an inspiration and with a proper aspiration; we shall perspire to work on it diligently.  Or else it becomes an empty dream.

Maybe you have a wish to travel. This becomes an inspiration.  Then you begin to plan (aspire) where you want to go.  And if you do not make an effort (perspire) to make it come through, where are you then?

Let's define what is wealth? You can call it gain, possession, fortune, property, etc.

Wealth to the foolish can become a trap to him,

Wealth to the wise is a way to free himself.

1.  Types of wealth

We can classify wealth into two;

a.  the worldly (mundane) which can be tangible / physical such as cash, properties, assets... or intangible such as fame, honour, recognition, power, beauty, health.

b.  the non-worldly (spiritual) such as virtue, wisdom, confidence, generosity, truthfulness.

Those in youth, while they are energetic,
 if they do not strive for wealth, 
when they grow old will be in trouble.

This verse from the Dhammapada clears the misconception that gaining wealth in Buddhism is forbidden.                                      

"Is there a householder happiness?" "Yes," answered the Buddha. "There are four sources of happiness. They are happiness derived from

i.     ownership ( inherit or earning it )

ii.    spending wealth wisely

iii.   debtless-ness

iv.   knowing that one has done much good in life and avoiding evil in life        

~AN IV:62~      

2.   Obtaining wealth

In this world there are three types of people. First there is a blind man, who has two eyes but cannot see. He has no vision to see the opportunity to gain wealth.

Thus if he does not have wealth, he also does not have the know-how to look for it.  And if he has wealth, he does not know how to maintain and increase it.  He also does not have the eye to differentiate between good and bad, proper and improper, wholesome and unwholesome, fine and not fine, spiritual and mundane.

Then there is this man, who is a one-eye-man. A little bit better, he knows how to gain, maintain and increase his wealth. Unfortunately he does not have the eye to differentiate between good and bad.  He is one who has no moral values and principles.

The last one is the two-eyed-man. He is resourceful in both.                            ~AN III:29~

Now consider among the three of them who would you fear most? When you are walking alone at night, which one of them may be a threat to you?

Next we have to be aware that our wealth is subjected to the five dangers. They are,

a.    fire,

b.    water such as flood, erosion, hurricanes,

c.    forfeit from authority or king such as tax, levy,

d.    theft, robbery, burglary, piracy,

e.    the sons (relatives/friends) that flatter.                                                ~ A.V:227 ~

One must recognize and accept the nature of the unwelcome dissipation of ones wealth. The art of living is to accept the thorns together with the roses.

If you lose your wealth, you lose nothing,
If you lose your health, you lose something,
If you lose your character, you lose everything.

When one clearly understands the different types of people and dangers, one can then comprehend the manner of gaining wealth in its true quality.

A.  Lawful

First we have to undertake work that is lawful. Lawful means work that does not;

a.  harm / deprive / take others’ life - One must avoid killing, butchering, fishing, hunting, slavery, breeding livestock, selling weapons;

b.  taking what is not given - One must avoid stealing, robbing, swindling or even taking more than what is given;

c.  acquire through sensual indulgence - One must avoid sexual breach, prostitution, pornography;

d.  entail a lot of falsehood - One must avoid forgery, dishonesty, under-valuation, imitation, cheating, deceiving, exaggeration, slandering, rumouring; involve in intoxicants - One must avoid dealing with drugs and liquor.   

Always remember that there are other beings beside ourselves when we are seeking wealth. Be considerate to others while working our way up.

B. Lawfully Gained

Sometimes although the work we do may be lawful but the manner we carry it out is unlawful. Take for example the following situation;

a.  a sundry shop owner who sells his products that are half-graded,

b.  an office staff who does not give his best in his work (paid for an under work)

c.  selfish gain

d. palmistry who speaks of pseudo truth,

e. white collar crime - criminal breach of trust.

All these will generate sorrow to both oneself and others. Ask your own conscience, how would you feel if you put yourselves into their shoes? Would you be happy?

C. The Three Essential Qualities

The following are three very important guidelines that can serve as the key criteria in our manner of acquiring wealth.

i.   We have to work hard besides working smart. A good manager who works through others does not mean he is lazy.  He has to possess the energetic quality in order to achieve his job objectives.
Speculation and taking high risks by doing the least to gain the most on the other hand is opposing this quality.

ii.  Doing with your own hand.
By not applying exploitation, deceive, step on others to climb up or when other are least careful, you step in and gain (at the loss of others) are some of the common advantages that we experience in our road to a successful carrier. 
Reflect this: Happiness arises by working for it and not merely having it.

iii.  Apply Effort.
Be industrious. Do not daydream but by wayfaring is the key to job accomplishment and satisfaction.

Let us take the job of a cleaner as a case study. Of course, it is a low-level occupation but there is nothing to be ashamed or shy or inferior about this job.  Basically it is an honest and honourable job. It does break the fundamental principles of unlawful gain.

Sometimes we should not live depending on what others said and think. We should not allow others to decide what we feel. Instead we should have our own principles of work ethics and knowing what we want in life.

Happiness is a triumph over keeping to our principles. Everybody tries to help others but one must not forget to help himself or herself.

"Be a soldier of Wisdom to fight against the Darkness of Ignorance with the sword of Truth"

~ The Buddha ~

3. Spending Wealth

In the Sigalovada Sutta, (DN 31) the manner of spending is to divide our earnings into four portions.

i.   To spend on the necessities for ourselves, family and people around us such as food, clothing, household, education, contributions and charity, entertainment, etc.

Life is full of obligations and responsibilities. We are not living alone in this world. Therefore we have to spend on others for mutual benefits. Contributing back to the fountain (or source) of happiness where we drank the water (or guide) from is another noble task of mankind.  

Spending for the spiritual group includes building temples and supporting those who strive for spiritual purity. Printing of Dhamma books in memory of departed relatives is a noble way to spend for the deceased.

ii.  The second and third portions are on investments. That is to say we put it back into the business.  These include taxes, loan repayments, workers' welfare, and children's education, training to upkeep or improve our own skill, etc. Knowing well the five dangers, one shall spend to protect ones' own wealth such as insurance, security devices, etc.

iii.  The fourth portion shall be savings for the rainy days.  We do not know when the  uncertainty in life would happen. Not only does it cover for yourselves but it shall include your dependents too. Sickness, recession, accident, unemployment are some of the uncertainties in life.

"The whole purpose of seeking wealth
is to spend it in the manner that gives one and others happiness
within the moral framework"

Spend within your means and limits in the moral manner.  One day if you happen to lose all your wealth, you should not be upset because you know you have put them into good use.

Forbidden Spending

Again the Buddha advised the lay followers to avoid spending in an immoral way that does not benefit oneself, his dependents or society at large in …

i.    Drinking liquor - the man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, 
                                 and the drink takes the man.

ii.   Excessive entertainment and shows,

iii.  Night activities such as loitering around,

iv.  Gambling,

v.   Having bad companion.

"Give up a smaller happiness for the greater one"

Be contented with wealth because there are other sources and ways of gaining happiness.

1. How can wealth free the wise?

2. Why is it that the one-eyed-man is the most fearful among the three?

3. Wealth earned should be spent on …