불교의 직업사상

Abstract

Although the majority of Buddhist scriptures focus on spiritual enlightenment and asceticism, it would be greatly misleading to argue that Buddhism only asserts transcendental ways of being that negate mundane labor and production. Buddha requires monks to dedicate themselves to religious asceticism, but for believers, he encourages active participation in economic life. It is only natural for Buddhism—the ultimate aim of which is to alleviate suffering—to emphasize the significance of occupation and people’s dedication to it. This thesis undoes the binary between the works of the monks and that of believers, to discuss them both within the common frame of occupation. The believers provide material and financial support for monks, and the monks provide spiritual and religious teachings. The former devote themselves to practical aspects of life, and the latter devote themselves to religious salvation; in effect, they are in a mutually beneficial relationship, for they depend on each other’s work. The monks’ goal is to guide all members of the society to the world of nirvana where suffering ceases. The believers’ productive labor secures necessary goods for individual maintenance as well as shares the religious aim of attaining nirvana by at once supporting the ascetic practices of the monks and pursuing greater happiness of the entire society. The believers’ occupational activities should abide by the ethics taught by Buddha and be carried out in ways that benefit achieving the ultimate religious aim. Mahayana Buddhism, in fact, does not differentiate between the believers’ activities of production and the monks’ religious asceticism. Zen Buddhism teaches that all activities of everyday life, including sleeping and eating, comprise an ascetic practice. Work and leisure are considered a one thing, for all aspects of life become an ascetic practice in Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhist teaching emphasizes understanding one’s own role in the society and accomplishing it with dedication. The Buddhist philosophy on occupation stands out particularly in the modern capitalist society where the significance of labor is determined only by its economic value.