Do Asian Buddhists hold secular jobs?

Question

Do they only live within the confines of temples and their own communities? Or do you find practising Buddhists in every walk of life? If you are a Buddhist in a country like Vietnam or Thailand, do you have to be part of an actual movement, or not? I have asked similar questions but if people only respond with website addresses, it is sometimes hard to find any specific answers.

Answer 1

Of course. When 90% of the population is Buddhist, being one doesn't mark you out. There are no 'Buddhist communities' in Vietnam or Thailand, just as there are no 'Muslim communities' in Syria. And secular jobs have to be filled - you can't have an entire country doing only temple work.

Answer 2

I can't speak about Vietnam or Thailand, but in Japan I know many, Japanese ordained monks that work an extra job just to bring income into their small temple, which otherwise would close. Begging for food is nowdays impossible, and if you do not have enoughgifted to your temple there is no other way but to get a job. Many are school teachers, myself included, but I also know of Postal workers, municipal employees, a movie extra, a shop assistant and even a Sushi chef (I am not sure how many Buddhists outside Japan would manage to get their mind around the last one...)
And they are all fully ordained.
As for lay people they are the majority of the population. I know one follower who works just up the road in the Love Hotel changing sheets (someone has to do it...)

Answer 3

Yes, lay buddhist work in any walk of life. Just as people from any other religion/philosophy. For example, I know a tibetan doctor who is a buddhist but lives in my country and practices medicine, just like any other professional.
In that respect being a practicing buddhist is just as being a practicing catholic. A few decide for a religious walk of life (nuns or monks) and the most for a secular life.

Answer 4

Monks of the Sanga usually devote themselves to "full time" religious life,but their are also monks and nuns who work secular jobs. Buddhist laity work ordinary jobs in every walk of lifebut they should be forms of "right livelihood" that do not cause murder or aid in immorality.

There are many Buddhist movements within and between Theravada and Mahayana "denominations". Many people practice Buddhism but never "join a Buddhist church" and many support multiple "denominations". There are Buddhist agnostics and atheists as well as theists.