[Buddha-l] Question for academic teachers of Buddhism

[Jackhat1 at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/27/2008 11:57:20 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
rhayes at unm.edu writes:

This is  what the Buddha himself taught, according to the Pali canon. He
advises  that one pursue wholeheartedly whatever commitments one has
undertaken. If  one is a householder and has undertaken the
responsibility of raising a  family, then one should do everything
possible, constrained only by  considerations of moral integrity, to
provide food, housing, clothing,  ornaments, entertainment and pleasure
to one's family
===
Addding to the above, in the Potaliya Sutta,MN 54,  a householder  tells the 
Buddha that he is going to give up his family and all possessions  and follow 
the Buddha. The Buddha responds that stopping being a householder is  
definitely not the essence of homelessness and cutting off affairs. Cutting off  of 
affairs means refraining from (1) killing, (2) lying, (3) rapacious greed,  (4) 
spiteful scolding, (5) angry despair, (6) arrogance, (7) taking what is not  
given and (8) malicious speech. The sutta ends by the householder saying, "From 
 today, let Master Gotama remember me a lay follower who has gone to him for  
refuge for life."
 
Jack



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