Buddhism classifies actions into three categories: bodily action, verbal action and mental action. In this Fold, we will concentrate on right bodily action.
For layman and laywomen, the Buddha provided specific guidelines for right bodily action under the rules of morality. When you have right speech, then you have followed the other three basic Precepts which Lord Buddha invited us to practice, refraining from the unwholesome bodily actions of killing, stealing or taking of what is not given and irresponsible or inappropriate sexuality or sexual misconduct.
Buddhism teaches us not only to refrain from these unwholesome actions but also to practice the right course of behavior without prejudice. These prejudices are : prejudice caused partially by love or desire, delusion or stupidity and prejudice caused by fear. These are known as " Agati 4 " Right action also includes bodily action with earnestness or heedfulness, known as " Appamada " in Buddhist terms.
The problem is defining what is wholesome and what is unwholesome bodily action . Subjectively, it depends on the individual and cultural value in different societies and communities. Objectively, wholesome actions means that which is beneficial while unwholesome actions, includes that which is harmful to individuals or to society in general. Right Action can lead us to a better life. A part of that better life is improved material welfare, not as an end in itself, but to provide the basic level of material security needed to cultivate a rich spiritual life too.
Right Action is applied to life as a whole, in all its social, economic, and political aspects. The Buddha taught that poverty was the root cause of immorality and criminal behavior, which could be eradicated if economic conditions improved. So Right Action also includes earning and working on our economic, political and social welfare. It means taking action to understand the true purpose and meaning of economics and money as well as taking action to behave in according to the Buddha, Right Action is aimed not only to one's own benefit, but also social, environmental and spiritual welfare.
In Buddhist terms, Dhamma is the Buddha's scripture, which includes nature and also duty, according to Zen Buddhism. A person who practices Dhamma is doing meaningful duty. Doing duty or doing fulfilling work that has to be done over and over again helps us recognize the natural cycle of growth and decay, of birth and death, and thus become aware of the dynamic other of the universe.
To recognize and practice Right Action, is our meaningful work i.e. to work in such a way that it becomes meaningful and fulfilling for the individual, beneficial to society and for harmony within the ecosystem. This is called meritorious action. To go against this Buddhist principle is to commit an unwholesome act, called evil or sin.
Mahatma Ghandhi, the Indian statesmen, has defined the seven social sins as follows: politic without principles, pleasure without conscience, wealth without work, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity and worship without sacrifice.
By THE BUDDH'S Core Teachings
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