Household Life is Crowded and Dusty

Monk, here a Tathāgata appears in the world, accomplished, fully Enlightened, perfect in true wisdom and conduct, superb, knower of worlds, incomparable leader of persons to be tamed, Teacher of gods and humans, Enlightened, Fortunate.

He declares this world with its gods, its Māras, and its Brāhmas, this generation with its Ascetics and Brāhmins, its princes and its people, which he has himself realized with direct knowledge (experience).

He teaches The Teachings good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, and he reveals a holy life that is entirely perfect and pure.

A Householder or Householder’s son or one born in some other clan hears these Teachings. On hearing The Teachings he acquires confidence in The Tathāgata. Possessing that confidence, he considers thus:

Household life is crowded and dusty; life gone forth is wide open. It is not easy, while living in a home to lead the holy life entirely perfect and pure as a polished shell. Suppose I shave off my hair and beard, put on the yellow robe, and go forth from the home life into homelessness.

(Reference: MN 27)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares a Teaching where he describes that living as a Household Practitioner is quite challenging. Attaining Enlightenment by any being is a challenge. Attaining Enlightenment as a Household Practitioner during the lifetime of The Buddha was very challenging.

While Household Practitioners did attain Enlightenment during the lifetime of The Buddha and after his death, Household Practitioners have many obstacles to overcome. During the lifetime of Gotama Buddha, Household Practitioners were very occupied with countless tasks just to sustain life. To acquire the needed food, water, clothing, shelter, and medical care required much effort which left little time for learning, reflecting, and practicing The Teachings.

Today, we exist during a time where modern conveniences have made it easier for us to acquire the needed supplies to sustain life. While Household Practitioners still have obstacles to overcome, so do Ordained Practitioners. While there is one set of benefits and challenges to the ordained lifestyle, there is another set of benefits and challenges associated with the household lifestyle. Today, in my opinion, it is much more likely for a Household Practitioner to attain Enlightenment than even during the lifetime of Gotama Buddha due to our ability to more readily acquire the needed supplies to sustain life, thus, providing more time to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings.

In the ordained lifestyle, a Practitioner will have plenty of time to learn, reflect, and practice these Teachings because they are not responsible for a house, car, personal relationships with a life partner, children, parents, etc. and the basic necessities to sustain their life are provided to them by Household Practitioners. All food, water, clothing, shelter, and medical care is provided. In this lifestyle, one is more likely to attain Enlightenment but it is not guaranteed. An Ordained Practitioner will be living among a community of Practitioners who are all actively working towards Enlightenment, thus, they are most likely living in a supportive and encouraging environment where individuals are all working towards the same goal. There is a predefined discipline that is shared with Ordained Practitioners and there are several other Ordained Practitioner who can be helpful towards one’s progress towards Enlightenment. Ordained Practitioners will need to do all the same learning, reflecting, and practicing as Household Practitioners, they just have less responsibilities and more time to accomplish progress on The Path to Enlightenment.

Household Practitioners have an enormous amount of responsibilities compared to Ordained Practitioners. With items to acquire such as food, water, clothing, shelter, and medical care along with countless relationships, Household Practitioners oftentimes create a life for themselves where time is very limited and they are distracted from progressing on The Path to Enlightenment. A Household Practitioner will need to make life choices, where they choose to dedicate time, effort, energy, and resources towards learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings. There will need to be inner motivation and inner discipline, especially if you are not living with other individuals who are choosing to embark on the journey towards Enlightenment on The Path to Enlightenment.

Dedicating time, effort, energy, and resources towards learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings is the best thing you could ever do for yourself, those close to you, and all of humanity.

Through learning and practicing these Teachings, you will reduce and then eliminate all the harm you are causing in the world. Thus, you can live in peace. You will not be causing harm to those around you so your personal and professional relationships will improve significantly. But, Household Practitioners will need to develop confidence in The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community so that they remain determined, dedicated, and diligent as they walk The Path to Enlightenment.

There are many obstacles and potential distractions along the way. But a person who has inner motivation, inner discipline, and understands that gradual training and gradual practice will result in gradual progress with no interest to ever give up will ultimately be successful.

No one ever said life would be “easy” but it’s also not supposed to be “tough”. Learning Gotama Buddha's Teachings is not “easy” but learning and practicing The Teachings of The Buddha will ensure “life is not tough”.