Expert: Judy - 5/24/2010

Question
Hi Judy,

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
Parke,

Thanks for the question.

I believe that the ultimate goal for studying Buddhist teachings is to apply them in our daily lives and conditions.  Most people separate the teachings as spiritual and noble theory, yet what the essence of the teachings is really just down to earth, plain, simple, and mundane.  The teachings are not to teach us WHAT NOT TO DO or WHAT TO DO in essence like a command, but rather to teach us to BE MINDFUL for WHATEVER WE DO.  Nothing is absolutely right or wrong, because there are always different facets, sides, or perspectives of one single matter or condition.

Playing poker with money is just the same as other money making methods.  However, people have the presumption and dualism to distinguish the right from wrong for everything.  That’s why we have vexations, because we are always compare, judge, and put value for everything.  The truth is that the kind of job and work to make money is not as important as being aware of the job or work you are doing.  

People think that playing poker with money is greed-oriented, whereas normal jobs are not.  If we really look deeply, we find out that they are all the same.  Doesn’t a person get a job in order to earn money?  Would anyone not greedy at all refuse a promotion or an increase of a salary?  Parke, we all gave greed; it’s one of the characteristics in human nature.  We are even greedy when we help or volunteer.  Has anyone thought about it?  We are so happy when we help others.  Why are we happy, because we, our egos, are fed!  We saved others, we make others happy, and we solve the problems for others, so we are happy.  Look ourselves deep down: are we really happy for others we helped, or we are happy for "thinking" of ourselves being nice people?

Because of poker’s gaming property, people assume that the game is very greed-oriented.  However, who does not want more money?  Although I am a very non-materialistic person who does not think how to make more money, I am not refusing to have more money, simply because it makes my life easier and less stressful.  The content of a job or game is not as crucial in the context you try to understand.  The bottom line is to be MINDFUL.  Just as you said, be mindful about the emotions risen when you play poker, lose, or gain money.  Be mindful to KNOW when to stop, be mindful to KNOW if you are getting obsessive, be mindful to KNOW when your greed kicks in, be mindful to KNOW if you are playing for the sake of money or pleasure, and so on.  It is not right or wrong to play it for money, again, yet KNOW and be aware of YOUR INTENTION and motivation for playing.  Always KNOW and Pay Attention to it.

In general, the condition for people who gamble is different.  They are so into the winning.  They are so concentrated on gaining and gaining more.  They lose their mindfulness.  That’s why they cannot stop.  That's what the problem is, losing MINDS and SELVES.  They let their emotions and conditions take their entire minds and orientations.  They have completely lost themselves in the games.   

Be truthful to YOURSELF.  Don’t lie to yourself, if it is only for money for anything else.  Nothing is wrong for playing for money.  Know your intention.  If you are playing for money, fine, then, play for money.  However, KNOW each rising emotion, thought, and your inner state in every moment while playing.  This is how we make everything we do in daily life as a practice through Buddhist teachings.  Be aware, be aware, and be aware.

Here is just another example that has nothing to do with your question or poker game.  I often hear people say "I do this FOR YOU." Oh, really???  No, in most cases.  People do things FOR THEMSELVES through doing something for others.  Because of our egos, we think about ourselves first.  People have purposes, yet they don't want to admit it.  It always sounds more convincing and sweet to say "I do this FOR YOU."  If we DON'T CARE if we are liked or DON’T NEED others, we would not do it voluntarily at the first place.  We do something for others, because we want them to like us.  We always WANT something.  That's the "truthfulness" I was talking about.    Nothing is shameful; nothing is wrong.  We just have to admit and KNOW who and how we are, our true intentions, be them good or bad, and BE TRUE.  This way, we live truthfully in every moment of our lives, without any resentment or regret.  Our hearts can be as clear as crystal and in peace.