This research is on the application of Buddha’s teaching of benefiting self and others to modern use in order to achieve harmonious and cooperative human relationships in contemporary living. It is an attempt to find out from Samyuktagama Sutra, suitable methods of benefiting others that can be adapted to modern communities under different situations. This essay initially uses inductive method to explore the term ‘benefiting others’. It follows the conception of human life, values of good and evil, and linkages to the ultimate aim as contained in Agama Sutras to derive a clear definition of the term ‘benefiting others’. For a Buddhist cultivator, his act of benefiting others will be modified with respect to the situational factors such as functions, value concepts and ultimate goals. Next is to explore from Samyuktagama Sutra which emphasizes on liberating cultivations, how ‘benefiting others’ can be practicable. It also bases on various examples of benefiting others as recorded in the Sutra to derive the following characteristics: 1. Under the headline of attaining liberation independently, the ultimate target of benefiting others is also liberation; 2. Based on practicing the principle of ‘Middle Path’, one may refrain from all afflictions arising from self and others, and thereby perfecting benefiting oneself as well as others; 3. Not to encourage deriving oneself to benefit others but rather to do the best to benefit others in the same way as you do to yourself with no deliberation; this is indeed a pragmatic way that everyone can do; 4. Suitable assistance based on applying one’s wisdom to identify specific situations and needs of people to send appropriate help. For further understanding the act of benefiting others, Chapter 5 gives an analysis of the relationship between self cultivation and benefiting others, explaining that there is no conflict between the two. Enlightened sages living in this world is not meant to be non-productive as they shoulder another level of responsibility which is committing themselves to assist those still in suffering to gain liberation. All of these are not limited to renounced cultivators as lay Buddhists may also follow the Noble Eightfold Path to benefit others through one’s body and mouth to achieve right speech, right action and right livelihood. That is to say mouth should only speak honest words, loving words, gentle words and meaningful words; body should exercise right behavior and practice generous giving, Five Precepts and Ten Virtuous Deeds. While being friendly and pleasant to others, one should not forget adopting the ‘Middle Path’ as the principle of living. In this way, every one will watch for his three karmas, and based on one’s role, make use of one’s best effort to contribute, then naturally all will be benefiting oneself as well as others.
