14 September 2020 Four Important Qualities of the Layperson
- Introduction
- In this sutta, The Buddha replies to Dighajanu about what a layperson should focus for welfare and happiness in this life and the next life.
- The Buddha gives four things that a layperson should focus in their daily living.
- We will be looking at these four more deeply in this study series.
- Key Sutta
- “Byagghapajja, these four things lead to the welfare and happiness of a gentleman in this life. What four?
- Accomplishment in initiative, protection, good friendship, and balanced finances.”
- Dīghajāṇu Sutta AN 8.54 https://suttacentral.net/an8.54/en/sujato
- Lesson One: Four Important Qualities
- The Buddha says that these four things are important for laypersons to cultivate.
- Accomplishment in initiative and effort (Uṭṭhānasampadā)
- Protection of possessions (ārakkhasampadā)
- Noble friendship (kalyāṇamittatā)
- Balanced finances (samajīvitā)
- The Buddha says that these four things are important for laypersons to cultivate.
- Lesson Two: The “Cause and Effect” of the Four Qualities
- The Buddha recognized and taught the importance of understanding cause and effect of all our thoughts and actions.
- Thoughts and intentional actions are what determine happiness in this life and the next life.
- Thoughts and actions put in motion future events, especially in the four areas noted by The Buddha.
- Today’s initiatives and efforts effects the welfare of tomorrow
- Today’s protection of possessions determines welfare of tomorrow
- Today’s noble friendship influences happiness for tomorrow
- Today’s effort to keep balanced finances effects welfare for tomorrow
- Personal Application
- What are your priorities, initiatives, efforts, doing to effect tomorrow?
- Have you simplified your life to protect possessions?
- How much time do you invest in noble friendships that help you with your practice?
- Do you manage your finances well for future welfare?
