Lesson Twelve: Buddhist Living

being drained from a tank when four great
outlets are opened, and its inlet is closed.
Abstaining from these four activities will enable
one to increase one's wealth just as water is
accumulated in a tank when its inlet is opened,
and its four outlets are closed.

3.Relationship With Others

Teacher and pupil

A pupil should always rise when his teacher
enters, wait upon him, follow his instructions
well, not neglect an offering for him, and listen
respectfully to his teaching.

At the same time, a teacher should act rightly
before a pupil and set a good example for him.
He should correctly pass on to him the teaching
he has learned; he should use good methods
and try to prepare the pupil for honors; and he
should not forget to protect the pupil from evil
in every possible way.

The teacher of Buddha's teaching should rightly
understand the teaching, rejecting wrong
interpretations, emphasizing the good, and
should seek to lead a follower along a smooth
path.

Master and servant

A master in his dealings with a servant should
observe five things:- He should assign work that
is suitable for the servant's abilities, give him
proper compensation, care for him when he is
in ill health, share pleasant things with him, and
give him needed rest.

A servant should observe five things:- He should
get up in the morning before his master and go
to bed after him, should always be honest, take
pains to do his work well, and try not to bring
discredit to his master's name.

Friends

A man should recognize among his

acquaintances those with whom he should or

should not associate. The ones with whom he

should not associate are those who are greedy,

clever talkers, flatters or wasters.

The ones with whom he should associate are

those who are helpful, who are willing to share

happiness and suffering, who give good advice

and who have a sympathetic heart.

A true friend will alwaysstick closely to the right

way, will worry secretly about his friend's

welfare, will console him in misfortune, will

offer him a helping hand when he needs it, will

keep his secrets, and will always give him good

advice.

It is very difficult to find a friend like this, and,

therefore, one should try very hard to be a

friend like this. As the sun warms the fruitful

earth, so a good friend shines in society because

of his good deeds.

4.A Layman's Happiness

There are some who wrongly think that

Buddhismis interested only in lofty ideals, high

morals and philosophical thought, and that it

ignores the social and economic welfare of

people. The Buddha was interested in the

happiness of men. And happiness was not

possible without leading a pure life based on

moral and spiritual principles, even in favorable

material and social conditions.

Buddhism does not consider material welfare as

an end in itself: it is only a means to an end -a

higher and nobler end. It is an indispensable

means to achieve a higherpurpose for man's

happiness. Certain material requisites are

necessary to create conditions favorable to

spiritual happiness.

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