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Question
Dear Sir
This is personal question if you can please answer.
I am Buddhist and trying follow damma and practice damma.
I got a job as a sales assistant in a shop where I have to sell alcohol,beer,wine and
Cigarettes. I feel guilty about this as I have heard about the right livelihood.
Again I think its OK because I just work there as an employee.
I really appreciate if you can help me to take a decision about the job.
Bless of Triple Jem.
Jagath.
Hi Jagath,
Thank you for asking me.
In the Buddha's discourse of the Noble Eightfold Path, right livelihood means abstaining from a livelihood that brings harm to other beings, such as trading in arms, in poison, in intoxicants, in slaughtering of animals (and other living beings), and activities exploiting human beings such as slavery and prostitution. In general, the Buddha advised us not to indulge in trades and activities which involve directly or indirectly, the breaking of the five moral precepts. Unwholesome livelihood also includes corruption, extortion and gambling. These types of livelihood usually can amass a lot of money but at a very high cost to life and human suffering.
You can also ask three simple questions, to assist you in making wholesome decisions:
1. Is the action harmful to you?
2. Is the action harmful to others?
3. Is the action beneficial to both you and others?
Smile from justinchoo :-)
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Hi justinchoo Thank you very much for your help with early reply. I got more confidence and courage to try for a less harmful job instead of going to that job. This is great, your service. Jagath. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Justin Choo
Expertise
When in doubt seek it out. All your questions will be answered, and you may not have to agree with the answers. Such is the beauty of Buddhism. You are free to decide. I follow the Theravada tradition, and have been studying Buddhism for more than 40 years. Please view my profile for more details. I have answered more than 1500 questions since joining this category. You may like to give me the honor to answer your question.
Experience
I was brought up in the 50's as a Buddhist. For the past 40 years I have read numerous books on Buddhism and listened to numerous talks on Buddhism by well-respected and learned monks and lay teachers. I conduct Buddhist classes for parents of Sunday School children in a Theravada Buddhist Temple.
My teacher was the late Chief Reverend, The Ven. K Sri Dhammananda of The Brickfields Buddhist Mahavihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can view the relevent website in memory of my revered late teacher @
http://www.ksridhammananda.com
Organizations
I am a life member of the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia.
Publications
YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT MY BLOG @
http://lifeislikethat999.blogspot.com/
Published a book called "The Rainbow And The Treasure". It is a compilation of extracts from various sources to introduce Buddhism to beginners. (Currently out of print)
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Commerce And Administration, Victoria University Of Wellington, NZ.(1974)
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