Good day guys, I hope you’re doing fine.
My question is: does studying at college apply to taking initiative as explained by the Buddha in AN 8.54? The reason for this question is because I understood that taking initiative is when you’re already part of one profession. But, when you’re studying yet and not earning any income from your studies, does the same principle apply?
I hope this question is clear enough.
With metta, Javier.
You’ve misread the sutta. It’s not defining “taking initiative” it’s defining “accomplishment in initiative.”
In order to become accomplished in many professions you need to go to school first. This is the “taking” of initiative required to become “accomplished” later.
Education and a craft,
discipline and training,
and well-spoken speech:
this is the highest blessing.
Kp5 mangala sutta
I agree with what Venerable Khemarato said above
I also agree with what Bhante Khemarato pointed out.
I think this is more in line with what Ven. Pasanna pointed out, the verse from the Mangala sutta.
I think more broadly, taking initiative can also apply to different scenarios like, if you’ve been working for many years and decide you want to change careers for example, and you have to do another course to get qualification/s to do that new line of work.
This reminds me, somehow of a famous Ajahn Chah story, that I recall to myself, from time to time. (I think it might be from Ajahn Brahm’s Opening the door of your heart book, come to think of it.)
I’m just going off my memory here. Something like;
This (Aussie?) businessman heard about Ajahn Chah, so he flew over to Ubon to meet him and ask some advice about running or setting up his business. When he got there, Ajahn Chah was busy receiving and talking to many different guests, because of his fame. Basically, he didn’t get to have a one-on-one meeting with him, but he figured, “I came all this way, I should do something good/nice while I’m here.” (to ‘make merit’ probably). So he picked up a broom and started sweeping. As he was sweeping, he felt a tap on his shoulder, he turns around and lo and behold, it’s Ajahn Chah, on his to another engagement. Ajahn Chah says to him, “When you sweep, sweep with all you’ve got.” (something like that), and then he walks off with his attendant.
And the broader message is ofcourse, “whatever you do, do it with all you’ve got.” In other words, put 100% in whatever it is that you’re doing.
And the way I understand it is, because you’re giving it everything in whatever you’re doing in your let’s say ‘ordinary, day-to-day’ life, that ‘initiative/attitude’ should carry on when you do your meditation practice. I think that’s the idea anyway, that’s how I understand Ajahn Brahm approaches everything, because he learnt it from Ajahn Chah 
You’re answer arrived in the right moment. I was feeling a little bit upset because I had duties to do, and they weren’t coming out as expected. That “give all you’ve got” was the phrase I needed to hear today. Thank you so much.
With metta, Javier.
