In Buddhism, wealth is not inherently good or bad. Its moral value lies in how it is obtained and how it is used. Wealth acquired through ethical means and used with generosity and compassion is not only acceptable — it is praised. But when it becomes the object of greed, attachment, or selfish ambition, it becomes a source of suffering.
The Buddha warned that riches can “ruin the foolish” who crave and cling to them, but not the wise who use them mindfully. One verse from the Dhammapada puts it clearly: “Riches ruin the foolish, but not those in the quest of the Beyond; through craving for riches, the foolish one ruins himself as if he were ruining others” .
Central to Buddhist economic ethics is the virtue of contentment. It is said that “contentment is the greatest wealth” — a reminder that satisfaction does not come from possessing more, but from desiring less. The ideal layperson is one who supports their family and contributes to society, while cultivating a light and generous relationship with what they own.
The story of Ghaṭīkāra, an exemplary lay follower, illustrates this perfectly. He was a humble potter who supported his blind parents and gave his goods freely to others without even handling money. His generosity inspired respect and abundance in return — a powerful lesson in non-attachment and trust in the moral force of giving .
Whether one’s wealth increases or diminishes, the spiritual challenge is to remain calm, ethical, and unattached. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, this is embodied in the figure of the lay Bodhisattva — someone fully engaged in worldly life, including wealth and work, but without being absorbed by them. Vimalakīrti, a lay Bodhisattva, is described as “profiting by all professions, yet far above being absorbed in them.”
Buddhism advocates a “middle way” between poverty and indulgence. Wealth is neither rejected nor idolized. Instead, it is seen as a means to practice generosity, support others, and create the conditions for personal and collective well-being.
In this spirit, modern Buddhist leaders remind us that wealth brings responsibility. The Thai monk Phra Rājavaramuni stated: “A wealthy man can do much more either for the better or for the worse of the social good than a poor man… acquiring wealth is acceptable if, at the same time, it promotes the well-being of a community or society” .
To live with wealth in the Buddhist sense is to possess it without being possessed by it. It is to hold it lightly, share it freely, and see in every coin the possibility of a better world — not just materially, but morally and spiritually.