A common Buddhist would consider the profits and benefits in both the present and next existence as minimum expectation. If one is a high-level Buddhist, one will also consider the realization of nibbana.
Having an expectation like this, one who practises in accordance with the teachings (dhamma) , is said to be completed with ‘unforgetfulness’.
Now what should have to be presented here is about the cause and effect relating to the profits and benefits in both the present and next existence. This teachings (dhamma) is preached by Buddha, referring to the question asked by the Brahmin Ujjaya. The Brahmin Ujjaya asked: “Ashin Gautama! We want to travel to another place. Ashin Gautama! Please preach and instruct us on the causes for the sake of ‘profits and benefits’ and ‘well-being’ in the present existence as well as for the sake of ‘profits and benefits’ and ‘well-being’ in the next existence”.
Here, the result (effect) , ‘profits and benefits’ and ‘well-being’ mentioned in the longing (of Brahmin), should be clarified. These two groups of words are being concerned with ‘interests’, but it does not mean ‘wealth, property’ only. In addition to economy, it also means ‘the development of physical and mental, getting achievements in social, education, health and merit deeds affairs’. ‘Well-being’ means ‘being peaceful and happy’ in both body and mind. It does not mean ‘having wealth’. Buddha preached to Brahmin Ujjaya as follows:
“Brahmin! These four kinds of deeds are good for the sake of profits and benefits, as well as for the sake of well-being in the present existence of a good man. What four kinds are-(1) Being completed with diligence;
(2) Being completed with protection;(3) Being completed with having the good friends; and(4) Earning one’s living fairly” , said Buddha.
A description in further detail of these four kinds of deeds are as follows:
(1) ‘Uthana sampada’ (being completed with diligence) – Skillful in works, having no lazy; being completed with knowledge of investigating those works; having ability to do the work; as well as having ability to manage the work.
(2) ‘Arakkha sampada’ (being completed with protection) – Protection of wealth (properties) which are received in line with ‘correct profession’, from being destroyed by rulers, thieves, fire, water and unloving (bad) heirs. This is being completed with protection and safety.
(3) ‘Kalyana mittata’ (being completed with having the good friends) – Associating with those who are completed with high morality, ‘saddha’ (feeling complacence) , ‘sila’ (precepts) , ‘suta’ (good knowledges), ‘saga’ (giving away in charity) and ‘panya’ (wisdom) ; following and practising like them, one is completed with ‘saddha’, ‘sila’, ‘suta’, ‘saga’ and ‘panya’.
(4) ‘Sama jivita’ (earning one’s living fairly) – Knowing about increase of property (income) and degeneration (expenditure) , one has a profession fairly (i.e, the gap should be neither too large nor too small).
{Ujjaya Sutta}
The second cause, ‘arakkha sampada’ (being completed with protection) means the cause of protection of wealth from calamity of five enemies. If there is no that kind of deed (cause) , the wealth will be destroyed. ‘Being completed with protection of wealth’ can be obtained through earning the money, or doing the kind of work in line with ‘samma ajiva’.
The third cause, ‘kalyana mittata’ (being completed with having the good friends) means making friends with the people being completed with the deeds of up-right, conscientious, having ‘sila’ (precepts). Then one himself will be completed with the deeds of up-right, conscientious such as having ‘saddha’, ‘sila’, ‘suta’, ‘saga’ and ‘panya’.
Concerning the cause for the sake of ‘profits and benefits’ and ‘well-being’ in the next existence, Buddha preached as follows:
“Brahmin! These four kinds of deeds are good for the sake of profits and benefits, as well as for the sake of well-being in the next existence of a good man. What four kinds are-(1) Being completed with ‘saddha’ (feeling complacence);(2) Being completed with ‘sila’ (precepts);(3) Being completed with ‘saga’ (giving away in charity); and(4) Being completed with ‘panya’ (wisdom) “, said Buddha.
A description in further detail of these four kinds of deeds are as follows:
(1) Being completed with ‘saddha’ – One has a feeling complacence in ‘arahatta magga’ intellect and ‘sabbanyuta’ intellect of Buddha; he has a feeling complacence in ‘arahan’ attribute (of Buddha, who was worth being beheld reverentially) and ‘bhagava’ attribute (a great glory of Buddha).
(2) Being completed with ‘sila’ (precepts)- i.e, Observing five ordinances of precepts.
(3) Being completed with ‘saga’ (giving away in charity) – i.e, Taking delight in giving away in charity; having a lack of disobligingness (‘maccariya’).
(4) Being completed with ‘panya’ (wisdom) – i.e, The excellent wisdom knowing the ‘dhamma’ of cause of attaining ‘nibbana’.
{Ujjaya Sutta}
As a person who is completed with these four kinds, is an ‘unforgetful’ one, committing no evil demerit deeds, he will get the good interests and well-being in the next existence.
Thus one should strive hard to be completed with these eight kinds of deeds for the sake of ‘profits and benefits’ and ‘well-being’ in the present existence as well as for the sake of ‘profits and benefits’ and ‘well-being’ in the next existence.
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