Lay Buddhism
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The form of Buddhism practiced by householders.
A laywoman meditates on a wooden deck overlooking a pond in central Thailand in 2017. (Photo by Kosal Ley)
Table of Contents
Books (14)
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The mind of equanimity, poised beyond the play of worldly opposites, is the highest safety and security, but to gain this equanimity we stand in need of guidance. The guidance available cannot protect us from objective adversity. It can only safeguard us from the dangers of a negative response—from anxiety, sorrow, frustration, and despair. This is the only protection possible, and because it grants us this essential protection such guidance can be considered a genuine refuge.
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Meditation may seem disappointing and even almost useless for quite a long time, but if you persevere in it, results are bound to come. But these results may not be at all the sort of thing you expect. And you may not even be the person who first becomes aware of them. So press on regardless, and don’t look for results. If you can see the point of this piece of advice you have already in fact made useful progress.
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This essay will help the Buddhist lay follower to understand, from a practical angle, the main points of the Buddha’s teachings as they bear on the conduct of daily life. Constant practice of these principles will ensure that they are built into his character, enabling him to develop into a well-rounded human being, a centre of sanity in a confused world adrift in fashionable philosophies full of empty promises.
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Four important suttas on ethics. The translations in this booklet are a bit dated, but not bad.
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103 pages[recommended but under copyright]
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Canonical Works (35)
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A magisterial compendium of good advice for lay people.
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The Noble Disciple, householder, with the wealth he has attained through industry and effort, accumulated through the strength of his arms, through the sweat of his brow, righteously, in accordance with the Dhamma, performs four suitable deeds.
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The Buddha describes how a lay Buddhist should keep a sabbath day: by recollecting the triple gem together with the gods and by keeping the moral precepts beloved and kept by the noble ones.
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The lay life is like farming in that it’s work with many requirements and when it fails it’s not very fruitful; but when it succeeds it is very fruitful.
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The Buddha encouages lay disciples to practice the five precepts and frequently recollect their purity.
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A man remembering this, a person established in Nobility,
Is praised right here and now, and later rejoices in heaven. -
They make themselves happy and pleased. This is the second ground for praise.
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… there is no way a personal offering can be more fruitful than one bestowed on a Saṅgha
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The Buddha explains “The Golden Rule” to a group of Brahmin householders.
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“It’s incredible, it’s amazing! Who can’t become a stream-enterer these days?”
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The blind person, the one-eyed person, and the two-eyed person.
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… there are these five kinds of wealth. What five?
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In what way, Bhante, is one a lay follower?
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… having fulfilled our duty, free of remorse and regret, we were reborn in a superior realm
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I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing.
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Householder, there are these four kinds of happiness that may be achieved by a layperson
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Readings (20)
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The assumption of a rigid division between monastics as recipients of liberating teachings and laity instructed in the gaining of merit and the way to a good rebirth does not accurately reflect early Buddhist thought.
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The second day is similar to the first, except that you do not consume even the tiniest amount of food or drink
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Our body is not life, but just a house. Life is energy. The coming together of mental, kammic and cosmic forces — that is life.
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Sir Edward Dyer rejoices in his virtue.
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A short list of moral qualities that every Buddhist should strive to uphold.
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Audio/Video (18)
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There’s always something we can do to progress towards Awakening. And it’s something that has benefits all along the way.
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Ayya Santussika gives a talk on her own transformation and overcoming five fears using four powers, including some especially good advice on how to relate to family.
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Some advice for householders on the topic of diligence and responsibility delivered winningly by the ever-guileless Ajahn Brahmali.
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