Expert: Justin Choo - 5/24/2010

Question
Hi Justin,

Thank you for offering your services on Buddhism and its application to daily life.  I very much appreciate it.  

I have been meditating for about 2 years and have become more entrenched in Buddhist teachings and their applications to my life over the past year or so.  It has made start to look at my life and see where roots of greed and craving exist.  I recently have taken a look at my hobbies.  I enjoy playing poker online for real money.  I can make modest side money playing and am getting better and better.  I am beginning to have a conflict, however, with poker and Buddhist teachings.  Is poker compatible with Buddhist teachings?

I have experimented with taking a different approach to Poker.  Whereas the traditional approach is mainly chocked full of greed for others money, which of course will lead to attachment and eventually suffering.  I have tried to make the game completely decision based where I determine how well I played based on if my decision was correct and try to ignore the money aspect of it.  Also, trying to present with each decision and mindful of feelings as they arise, such as excitement, disappointment when I lose, and any other feelings.

Although i dedicate time to mediation  and study, the thought also comes across that I could use the time i spend playing poker to study teachings or just elimiate poker in order to simplify my life.

I plan to return to school in a few years and poker might be a way to make ends meet while I am in school, so it could have a pracitcal purpose in my life.  The thought also crossed my mind that once school is done, I could play for enjoyment and give away half of what I make in order to lessen any chance of greed sneeking in.

I really appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thanks,
Parke

Answer
Hi Parke,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.  

I don't know anything about poker, except it is a game of chance.  Unless you are playing as a hobby with a small stake, indulging in this game I would consider a form of gambling.  However, I don't condemn each and every form of gambling.  Buying a lottery is also a form of gambling.  I buy lotteries every 3 weeks (it has a three-weekly draw). My life is not affected by this small indulgence of "Hope."  Spending a few dollars on lotteries does not hurt me or the people around me.  In a strict sense I am also a "gambler" and as such indulging in "unwholesome" activity!  I can live with it despite any criticism by "puritans".  It is important that we use our common sense and a little wisdom to lead the path of moderation.

I would just want to recommend you to consider these 3 simple steps of questioning, and you can decide for yourself whether it is reasonably all right for you.

1. Will this action hurt you?
2. Will this action hurt others?
3. Is this action beneficial?


For me, buying 3 lottery tickets is no big deal because:
1. it doesn't hurt me.
2. it doesn't hurt others.
3. it is not really beneficial, but it gives me hope and makes me happy.  Who knows it may turn out to be beneficial if I struck the first prize!!  Hahahaha!!!!!!

Take care.

Justin Choo