The Seventy-ninth of 108 Gates Of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

79 The Seventy-ninth Gate: Right Livelihood

Right livelihood is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we get rid of all evil ways. (Nishijima/Cross)

Right livelihood is a gate of realizing dharma; it prevents all unwholesome paths. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:

May we, together with all buddhas;
Practice Right Livelihood,
That we may remove all evil ways.

Reflection Prompts:

1. How does Right livelihood irradicate or prevent all evil ways?

2. Does that happen automatically?

3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Capping Verse:

Doing the good work
We plant seeds
That bear fruit for all

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Jishin]

In the mountains and the rivers,
Where nature's harmony reigns,
There lies a gate of Dharma,
Where Right Livelihood remains.

This path is one of purity,
Where we shun all evil ways,
And live in accord with truth,
Through every moment of our days.

With Right Livelihood as our guide,
We strive for a life that's just,
A life that nurtures all around,
And causes no one to distrust.

For work is not just a means,
To put food upon our plate,
It is a noble calling,
That helps us fulfill our fate.

With each action that we take,
We shape our future's mold,
So let's be mindful in our work,
And let our good deeds unfold.

For Right Livelihood is a gate,
To a life of inner peace,
Where we are free from all regret,
And our worries start to cease.

And though this path may be long,
And the journey may be tough,
We know that we are not alone,
For the Dharma guides us enough.

So let us practice Right Livelihood,
In every moment that we can,
And let our actions be the seeds,
That bear fruit for all women and men.

For in living this way of life,
We create a world of light,
Where peace and love and harmony,
Shine through with all their might.

Gassho, Jishin, ST, LAH

[aprapti]

aprapti


sat

[Tokan]

Hey again

1. How does Right livelihood irradicate or prevent all evil ways? - Well I'm not sure that it prevents ALL evil ways, but it certainly restricts the field! Given that we tend to spend half of our waking hours at work it would make a big difference to our communities - recalling that right livelihood does not just benefit ourselves, it is directed towards all living beings, and may help guide them away from unwholesome paths too. I always remember with the Eightfold Path that each of the eight works together with the others, being a complete way of life, though you can work more on one aspect than another if you wish, though it will cause you to change in other ways too.

2. Does that happen automatically? - If you are practising Right Livelihood then I would say, yes, it is a natural consequence provided you don't do anything to pull in the opposite direction.

3. Write a new Capping Verse.

Working as we must,
the heart of the Bodhisattva
seeks only to light the path.

Gassho, Tokan

satlah

[Tai Do]

Thank you, Shokai!

1. I think that if by evil we take not only the result of our actions but the intentions behind it, and by right livelihood we understand not only our work but the whole of our lives and activities (how we live, work, consume, help others etc.(, than it prevents all evil ways.

2. Once we establish the intention and act accordingly, the evil ways are automatically prevented.

3.
Living rightfully,
Preventing all evil ways,
Saving all sentient beings.

Gassho,
Tai Do
Satlah