The Two-Eyed Person

Monks, there are these three kinds of person found existing in the world.

What three?

The blind person,

the one-eyed person, and

the two-eyed person.

(1) And what, Monks, is the blind person?

Here, some person lacks the kind of eye with which one can acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired, and he also lacks the kind of eye with which one can know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts. This is called the blind person.

(2) And what is the one-eyed person?

Here, some person has the kind of eye with which one can acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired, but he lacks the kind of eye with which one can know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts. This is called the one-eyed person.

(3) And what is the two-eyed person?

Here, some person has the kind of eye with which one can acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired, and he also has the kind of eye with which one can know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts. This is called the two-eyed person.

These, Monks, are the three kinds of persons found existing in the world.

And how, Monks, does a Monk have attentive eyes?

Here, a Monk understands as it really is: ‘This is discontentedness’; a Monk understands as it really is: ‘Thịs is the cause of discontentedness'; a Monk understands as it really is: ‘This is the elimination of discontentedness'; a Monk understands as it really is: ‘This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.’

It is in this way that a Monk has attentive eyes.

(Reference: AN 3.29)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares the three types of people existing in the world shared as a simile connected to the eyes of an individual as skills/abilities one would possess.

One eye is related to wealth with the second eye related to being able to observe qualities to eliminate or cultivate.

Gotama Buddha would oftentimes describe his observations in the world around him through similes discussing various qualities and attributes of individuals so that one can aspire to cultivate these qualities, not as a way of looking at others positively or negatively.

It would be helpful for a human being to acquire the ability to “acquire wealth not yet acquired and increase wealth already acquired” while also acquiring the ability to “know wholesome and unwholesome qualities, blameworthy and blameless qualities, inferior and superior qualities, dark and bright qualities with their counterparts”.

With these abilities, a Practitioner can improve their life through developing the ability to improve their income to provide for the needed supplies to sustain one’s life (food, water, clothing, shelter, and medical care) and to help others through a practice of generosity (giving and sharing). And, through being able to identify qualities that are wholesome and unwholesome, one is able to more readily learn, reflect, and practice The Teachings on The Path to Enlightenment to eliminate the unwholesome qualities and cultivate the wholesome qualities.

He then goes on to describe that Monks would have “attentive” eyes, highly developed eyes, through understanding The Four Noble Truths. Because one who understands The Four Noble Truths can practice this Teaching making the breakthrough to establishing Right View and progressing on The Path to Enlightenment. A Practitioner who understands The Four Noble Truths has developed and acquired important wisdom needed for the attainment of Enlightenment.

How Can I Make Money and Attain Enlightenment?

What are your suggestions for those of us who want to make money through business?

I do not focus on the wealth generation aspect of life anymore and would not be a good person to learn wealth generation from.

I suggest that you learn wealth generation from those who are in the area of expertise who know how to do that now.

But, as you do, consider this….

Focus on helping people through your products and services, do not focus only on the money.

The more you focus on “helping people”, doing something that you purely enjoy each and everyday, you will never need to worry about money and it will never seem like “work”.

Because if you focus on helping people doing something you purely enjoy and it does not seem like work, the money will always be there - you will have more than you need.

In the meantime, focus on the elimination of craving/desire/attachment so that you are not just attempting to generate more and more and more money through craving/desire/ attachment (mental longing with a strong eagerness) but instead, you are focused on “helping people” out of loving-kindness and compassion.

Every successful business-person will need to practice loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity (The Four Healthy Mental States), along with all the other Teachings to liberate the mind to attain Enlightenment.

And then, as you are making money, find ways to help others with the wealth you have generated. Do not be selfish “holding onto” the wealth but instead, use the wealth and the wisdom you have acquired to help others in the world.

Through doing this, you will never “work” a day in your life and you will have something more valuable than money could ever buy, you will have “joy”, knowing that you are helping people everyday, in every way, at every moment.

Money is not “bad” or “evil”. It is all about how you generate it and what you do with it once you do generate it.

So, choose wisely…

The Four (4) Healthy Mental States are:

1.) Loving-kindness (Pāli: mettā) is active goodwill towards all beings without judgment. A genuine interest in seeing all beings be well.

2.) Compassion (Pāli: karuṇā) is concern for the misfortunes of others.

3.) Sympathetic joy (Pāli: muditā) is joy for others’ success, even if you did not contribute to it.

4.) Equanimity (Pāli: upekkhā) is mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation; treating everyone impartially.

Attaining Enlightenment Includes Financial Security

There are many aspects of life that an individual needs to address, making wise decisions (i.e. practicing discernment), to attain Enlightenment.

Through training of the mind, a Practitioner learns to eliminate craving/desire/attachment, making wise decisions in all aspects of life - including financial decisions.

It is very expensive to feed one’s cravings/desires/attachments, and you might find that you need to pay attention to your financial decisions to bring your life more towards practicing “the middle way” to attain Enlightenment.

An individual would be unable to attain Enlightenment without figuring out how to support themselves financially, and living securely within their available financial resources.

Part of the core and central Teaching of The Buddha, The Eight Fold Path, is “Right Livelihood”.

This important Teaching on Right Livelihood helps you to understand how to conduct a livelihood that is harmless, and where you will have significant success, to the point of your occupation not even feeling like “work”. If you need help to learn The Words of The Buddha on Right Livelihood, you might consider exploring Volume 12 - Chapter 14 in this book series. https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/freebuddhabooks

Given that someone has found a livelihood that they deeply enjoy based on The Teachings of The Buddha, to the point where it does not even seem like work, an individual will then start to generate increased levels of wealth. As when you do something you enjoy, and you practice “the middle way”, we can predict that you will be wildly successful, both financially and otherwise, in that livelihood.

As you are starting to generate income, you might consider the below to help you develop financial discipline and financial security that will guide you in enjoying the present moment while also saving for the future.

When impermanence comes along, you may not be able to conduct the same livelihood your entire life, and retirement may be something you aspire to experience. Therefore, if you are able to implement and be disciplined to practice the 50/30/20 money management formula, you can be prepared no matter what comes your way.

Enjoy….your journey to Enlightenment.

Financial Advice from That Could Help You

Live life to the fullest while still saving money, with the 50/30/20 money management formula.

Do not allow your monthly income to become depleted so quickly without knowing the details of your expenses. This issue can be easily solved with the "50/30/20" formula, a money allocation method that helps you create a perfect balance between your lifestyle and financial security.

Money Management Formula:

• 50% for essential expenses: This portion includes unavoidable fixed costs such as housing, transportation, food, and utilities to keep life going.

• 30% for personal activities: Reward yourself! Whether it's traveling, watching movies, shopping, or eating at your favorite restaurant, because your enjoyment is an important part of life.

• 20% for future goals: The most important part is building financial security through saving and investing to grow your money, or paying off debt to reduce long-term interest burden.

Start today! Take a look at your spending decisions and adjust them to the 50/30/20 formula to build financial discipline and prepare for all your future goals.