What do you think?
Rate this book
The Buddha's Teachings on Prosperity: At Home, At Work, In the World
Money and investing. Family. Relationships. Work and business. Sex. What could the Buddha tell us about such worldly concerns? More than you might think--and you'll find it all here. Some of it might well surprise you. All of it will guide you toward a more prosperous, more fulfilling, and truly happier way of life.
The Buddha had an unusually keen insight into what people with everyday concerns need to know, and The Buddha's Teachings on Prosperity delivers the actual teachings that he gave to all those many people he encountered who were not monks or nuns-or even, meditators. This is practical advice on the important stuff of life, those things nearly all of us must deal with in order to enjoy a meaningful, lasting
These very do-able practices are specifically for those who can't or (for whatever reason) won't be devoting their lives to meditation or any kind of religious teaching--but who nonetheless wish to minimize their suffering, maximize their joy, and help create a better world.
The Buddha had an unusually keen insight into what people with everyday concerns need to know, and The Buddha's Teachings on Prosperity delivers the actual teachings that he gave to all those many people he encountered who were not monks or nuns-or even, meditators. This is practical advice on the important stuff of life, those things nearly all of us must deal with in order to enjoy a meaningful, lasting
These very do-able practices are specifically for those who can't or (for whatever reason) won't be devoting their lives to meditation or any kind of religious teaching--but who nonetheless wish to minimize their suffering, maximize their joy, and help create a better world.
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2008
8 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 1, 2011
Fantastic book with a misleading title. Rahula uses the Pali cannon to examine common life decisions: relationships, conduct, conflict, and yes finances. Perhaps revisionist with respect to social ethics. He nails the concept of Sangha and how it contrasted with a caste based society. Highly recommend, especially if you have Pali discourses easily available for cross reference.
July 16, 2025
I feared this was some bad New Age or self-help book exploiting Buddhism to promote greed and capitalism but its actually an eye-opening re-evaluation of the Buddha's teachings and what it means to be a Buddhist, written by a real Buddhist monk and scholar. The crux of it is that the Buddha only encouraged poverty for monks but wanted his lay followers to apply Buddhism to abundant living that remains anti-materialist. The book cites real Buddhist scripture extensively and makes Buddhism seem way more doable for the average person. Unusual and refreshing.
September 24, 2024
A nice, grounding perspective from which to approach general life organization questions.
November 15, 2017
DISCIPLINED AND UPRIGHT WAY OF LIVING.
A DECISION SHOULD PROVIDE WELFARE NOT ONLY FOR THE DECISION-MAKER BUT ALSO FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE DECISION (WIN-WINS)
All human actions originate from; i) desire for sensory satisfaction, ii) a destructive urge, iii) illusion, iv) generosity, v) compassion, vi) right understanding. Avoid the first 3!
When greed arises in the mind, malice (desire to hurt someone/ill will) also appears to further debilitate the individual's wise judgement.
Moderation paves the way to wisdom.
Individual prosperity is clearly supported as long as the layperson employs fair means and right effort.
The wealth one acquires through just means should be used to benefit others, as well as oneself.
Use wealth moderately - avoid hoarding or squandering it.
Harsh words only cause frustration to the sender.
Association with undisciplined and morally corrupt people is a channel through which wealth disappears.
Professionalism, farsightedness and behaviour adjustment are the key factors for lifelong prosperity.
One would never find inner peace as long as one clings to the misdeeds done by another person in the past.
Knowledge means right understanding with evidence. Particularly the evidence obtained through direct experience.
Dont speak untruths with wrong intention. Avoid words that contain untruth or exaggeration.
Avoid extremes.
Dont use words to divide people.
Practice imitation and elimination as effective practices for developing an admirable personality.
Avoid mind-created reactions to everyday experiences.
The human mind is brilliant but becomes polluted as a result of its contact with the external world. Nothing does more to pollute than greed and malice.
Look at others unpleasant actions with compassion.
A DECISION SHOULD PROVIDE WELFARE NOT ONLY FOR THE DECISION-MAKER BUT ALSO FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE DECISION (WIN-WINS)
All human actions originate from; i) desire for sensory satisfaction, ii) a destructive urge, iii) illusion, iv) generosity, v) compassion, vi) right understanding. Avoid the first 3!
When greed arises in the mind, malice (desire to hurt someone/ill will) also appears to further debilitate the individual's wise judgement.
Moderation paves the way to wisdom.
Individual prosperity is clearly supported as long as the layperson employs fair means and right effort.
The wealth one acquires through just means should be used to benefit others, as well as oneself.
Use wealth moderately - avoid hoarding or squandering it.
Harsh words only cause frustration to the sender.
Association with undisciplined and morally corrupt people is a channel through which wealth disappears.
Professionalism, farsightedness and behaviour adjustment are the key factors for lifelong prosperity.
One would never find inner peace as long as one clings to the misdeeds done by another person in the past.
Knowledge means right understanding with evidence. Particularly the evidence obtained through direct experience.
Dont speak untruths with wrong intention. Avoid words that contain untruth or exaggeration.
Avoid extremes.
Dont use words to divide people.
Practice imitation and elimination as effective practices for developing an admirable personality.
Avoid mind-created reactions to everyday experiences.
The human mind is brilliant but becomes polluted as a result of its contact with the external world. Nothing does more to pollute than greed and malice.
Look at others unpleasant actions with compassion.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews