Guidelines for the Way of Life Based on Kāmabhogī Sutta

Abstract

         This research article has objectives : 1) to study the Kāmabhogi Sutta, 2) to study the principles of life based on Buddhism, and 3) to study the guidelines for human life according to the principles of the Kāmabhogi Sutta. This is a documentary research, collecting data from the Kāmabhogi Sutta, the Tipitaka, commentaries, related documents and research. The data is analyzed and presented using descriptive methods.

         The results of research found that:

         The Kāmabhogi Sutta is a sutra concerning the life of those who indulge in sensual pleasures. The Buddha categorized them into 10 types, such as seeking wealth un-righteously through wrongdoing, and, having acquired it, not using it for personal happiness, and not distributing it or performing charitable acts, etc. The acquisition of wealth mentioned in the Kāmabhogi Sutta is categorized into 3 types: 1) seeking wealth un-righteously through wrongdoing, 2) seeking wealth both righteously and un-righteously through a combination of right and wrongdoing, and 3) seeking wealth righteously through right doing. The characteristics of spending wealth as described in the Kāmabhogi Sutta can be summarized into 5 types, such as not using it for personal happiness. And not distributing or donating to charity, etc. Principles that promote the pursuit of wealth or occupation include the Four Bases of Success (Iddhipada 4) and the Four Virtues of Layperson (Gharavasa Dhamma 4), etc. Principles of spending wealth that promote well-being include moderation in consumption, etc. As for the concept of possessing and using wealth, a wise person who enjoys sensual pleasures will understand the true needs of life. They will see external wealth as merely means of livelihood and will not be attached to it. Right livelihood can be divided into two main types: 1) Righ