Master of Buddhism: lesson 2 (assignment)

Master of Buddhism: lesson 2 1.    Which of these guidelines do you think is the most important? Why? It's quite difficult to say that one guideline is more important than the others because they work together. Yet, if forced to choose, I think that perhaps "Right Speech" is the area most neglected today. In advanced countries we moved further and further away from physical violence. Yet verbal harm is still very pervasive. So, thinking before speaking, being aware of the impact words can have on others, is key to reducing suffering – both in others and in ourselves. However, in going back to my initial comment on the holistic nature of the Eightfold path, I must add that "Right Though" is a necessary prerequisite for "Right Speech".   2.    What is the unifying concept of these guidelines? Awareness seems to be a key unifying concept. We are to be aware of our thoughts, words, actions, surroundings and others. 3.    What do you think the Buddha would have to say today about "Right Livelihood?" Can you think of any positions in today's workforce that he might use as an activity one should avoid? Among the types of work to be avoided according to the principal of "Right Livelihood" (that are not already included by extension in the original Buddhist teaching, such as the tobacco industry which fits roughly into the category of intoxicants) would include industrial and financial/investment activity that destroys the environment, or that exploits or abuses workers for the profit of a few (for example, moving jobs from a high wage country to a low wage developing country – workers in the high wage country lose their livelihood, while workers in the low wage country are being paid inadequately while the investor's profit increases). We could also include production of entertainment forms containing excessive, unwarranted violence. J.P. Amis