Business

Career

The way a Bodhisattva engages in their career is different from that of sentient beings. Sentient beings pursue careers that are grand, lofty, profitable, and well-known, seeking places that attract more attention and recognition.

However, Bodhisattvas do not operate this way; they prefer to engage in small, humble, quiet endeavors that go unnoticed by others. For sentient beings, pursuing a career is like climbing a mountain; for Bodhisattvas, it resembles going downhill. On the surface, sentient beings seem to gain from their pursuits but are actually losing; conversely, Bodhisattvas may appear to lose but are truly gaining. Sentient beings like to use some sort of accelerant to hasten their careers; Bodhisattvas prefer natural growth (Note: a career does not necessarily mean business).

Sentient beings pursuing careers are like drinking saltwater to quench thirst; it seems they drink a lot but remain thirsty. They may appear to possess abundant material wealth as if living in paradise, yet they are merely hungry ghosts trapped in a packaged hell. In contrast, Bodhisattvas engage in their careers by drinking pure water and nectar to quench their thirst; even a little drop can relieve long-term parchedness.

The career of a Bodhisattva is about helping others, while the career of sentient beings is about satisfying themselves. There are countless ways to help others because sentient beings have many needs; thus, Bodhisattvas can start from anywhere. Since their work involves assisting sentient beings, they can quickly attract them. The careers of Bodhisattvas grow larger and larger but become increasingly empty because there is no self involved—only sentient beings. On the other hand, the careers of sentient beings may grow larger but also become heavier. The more Bodhisattvas engage in their work, the happier and lighter they feel; conversely, the more sentient beings pursue their careers, the more troubled and burdened they become.

The career of sentient beings feels like walking with iron eggs on their backs while that of Bodhisattvas feels like walking with white clouds. Sentient beings seem to walk on solid ground yet continually aspire towards the heavens; meanwhile, it appears that Bodhisattvas soar through the skies while actually taking steps towards the earth below. The distinction between Bodhisattvas and sentient beings arises from intention and method. A single moment of enlightenment makes one a Bodhisattva; a moment of confusion makes one a sentient being. Both engaged in careers are essentially practicing cultivation—Bodhisattvas create liberating karma while sentient beings create binding karma. One attains liberation through engagement in work while the other becomes ensnared.

When engaging in work, Bodhisattvas look towards those who need help; when sentient beings engage in work, they focus on their innermost desires. For sentient beings doing business or pursuing goals means offering all fruits of labor to an inner serpent; for Bodhisattvas doing business means dedicating all results to all sentient beings. The work done by Bodhisattvas flows from one being to another; for sentient beings it flows from self to self. What constitutes business for them is simply karma—karma becomes their business for them as well as theirs alone.

A Bodhisattva engages in work to satisfy the hearts of others while sentient beings do so for personal satisfaction. A Bodhisattva practices working without attachment while sentient beings train themselves with attachment present. It’s all about intention and application: when used rightly there is happiness; when misused there comes trouble. In essence, there’s no inherent size or scale within work itself—the vast-hearted among sentient beings find even great undertakings manageable whereas those with narrow hearts perceive even significant endeavors as trivial—a manifestation born out of insatiable greed versus one born out of deluded perception.

A Bodhisattva never worries about opportunities—they see chances everywhere because they perceive through countless eyes and hearts observing the world around them; meanwhile, sentient beings often fret over opportunities as they search high and low trying hard because they wish only for paths paved with gems leading right up to their doorsteps—they fail to see through others’ eyes focusing solely on themselves instead! Engaging in business feels akin to entering Mount Sumeru for ordinary people whereas it’s akin simply walking along Buddha’s path for those who embody true compassion! For some individuals ‘work’ equates directly with ‘karma’—for others ‘work’ remains just ‘work’ separate from ‘karma’; still others find themselves devoid both work or karma even when seemingly engaged!

To embark upon any endeavor requires first understanding one’s heart: if intentions are pure then one embodies the essence of a Bodhisattva—if intentions stray then one risks getting lost deep within mountains! Amidst layers upon layers lies paths trodden by ordinary souls yet smooth plains await those who embody true compassion! If your heart embraces boundless universes then you will witness Buddhas right before your eyes! Work may seem difficult as ordinary paths stretch far ahead yet becomes easy when aided alongside compassionate companions! Ultimately what we call “career” isn’t really “career” at all—it’s merely thought! For those who utilize intention rather than being used by it—their endeavors become cultivation whilst cultivation manifests itself through genuine engagement! Thus cultivating equates directly back into action taken upon this path leads us towards becoming true embodiments known as “Bodhi”—while mere actions devoid insight remain trapped within cycles experienced by ordinary souls!

by – Taiwan Fearless Tathagata Ya Great Perfection Meditation Center