Right Livelihood appears to be harder to practice these days than in the
time of the Buddha. The rule is still the same: Right Livelihood is
organizing one's financial support so that it is non-abusive,
non-exploitative, and non-harming. However, these days what is abusive
and exploitative is not necessarily self-evident.
When the Buddha taught, unwholesome livelihood categories were easy to
distinguish. Soldiering, keeping slaves, manufacturing weapons and
intoxicants – all were on the proscribed list. In our time, soldiers
sometimes serve as peacekeepers. It's hard to know the wholesomeness of
all the products of any corporation, corporate mergers being what they
are. Who knows what else is being manufactured by me detergent company's
subsidiaries? . . .
For me, a complete picture of wholesome Right Livelihood is even larger
than the proscriptions that reflect /external choices/. Wholesome
internal choices – healthy attitudes about one's work – also contribute
to mental happiness and peace of mind. Everyone's livelihood is an
opportunity for self-esteem.
-- Sylvia Boorstein, /It's Easier Thank You Think/
