Buddha's advice to lay practitioners
 

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I thought it might be a good idea to post a few references showing some of the advice the historical Buddha gave to lay practitioners in the Pali Canon suttas.

Firstly I've chosen the laypersons code of behaviour given in Singlovada Sutta DN31:

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipi...31.0.ksw0.html


Secondly I've chosen "Living in Tune" AN 4.55 which is about couples.

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipi....055.than.html


and thirdly, I've chosen "Debtless" AN 4.62

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipi....062.than.html


I hope that they will be helpful _/|\_


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Thanks a lot for pointing these out. For a long time I have felt aligned with Buddhism while at the same time feeling like I do not belong. This is very helpful for me. Very appreciative.

I only read the first link so far and have been thinking about it for days. His advice on intoxication was interesting and right on. He doesn't say anything authoritative like "don't drink excessively because it's right and I said so". Instead he outlines a very accurate list of exactly what will start to go wrong with your life if you do so. Completely empowers the receiver to use the information as a frame of reference for the future to make their own choices and then learn from their own experience.

I liked 21-25 where he talks about the kinds of people to surround yourself with and how to identify them:

21. "Young man, be aware of these four good-hearted friends: the helper, the friend who endures in good times and bad, the mentor, and the compassionate friend.

Similarly this gives the receiver useful information what to look for when choosing acquaintances. I immediately also turned 21-25 around as a way to look at myself, useful as a frame of reference to consider so that I can evaluate how well I am doing in my interactions with others.

In general I found this all useful as a reminder of the primary original purpose of the Buddha's journey, as I understand it, is to eliminate suffering in the world. I love the way the teachings are presented in that light, so graceful and clear.

Thank you very much for replying, winter light, I'm so glad you found the teachings helpful.


_/|\_