UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUDDHIST PRACTICE AND WORKING LIFE
Caller: Master, lastly I would like to seek your advice on this matter: I’ve just joined the workforce, and have not been able to balance between Buddhist practice and career. Please enlighten me.
Master Jun Hong Lu: With regards to balancing Buddhist practice and career, it is alright to perform recitation at work unless your work involves unethical activities which contravene the Buddha’s teachings.
Caller: What I meant was Buddhism teaches us to let go of worldly things and accord with conditions.
Master Jun Hong Lu: That’s right!
Caller: However, there are bound to be aspects at work that we have to fight for.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Right!
Caller: Under such circumstances, I am apprehensive about not being able to conform to the standard of morality and virtue.
Master Jun Hong Lu: I know what you mean. The problem is you have yet to apply the right mindset. Frankly speaking, competition does not need to be vicious. In fact, you should foster healthy competition.
Caller: Understood.
Master Jun Hong Lu: A healthy competition is where you perform to the best of your ability with the premise that you do not harm others. This is to say, you strive to do well and not resort to destructive tactics to hinder others from climbing the corporate ladder to make way for your own promotion. Do you understand?
Caller: Yes, I do.
Source: Wenda20111030 55:22, Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program
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