Why isn't a tech start-up a right livelihood? Unless it somehow
harms others for some reason.
My spiritual mentor/teacher Thusness owned an IT company for many
years until recently.
Entertainment: I think it depends, take for example Buddha's
warning on Talaputa Sutta -- karmic dangers of inciting
afflictions in others (craving, anger,
delusion).
Doctor, nurses,
teachers, social workers -- definitely sounds like right
livelihood
The Buddha defines right livehood as such:
"And what, monks, is right livelihood? There is the case where a
disciple of the noble ones, having abandoned dishonest livelihood,
keeps his life going with right livelihood: This, monks, is called
right livelihood.
The Buddha defines wrong livelihood as such:
"Monks, a lay follower should not engage in five types of
business. Which five? Business in weapons, business in human
beings, business in meat, business in intoxicants, and business in
poison.
"These are the five types of business that a lay follower should
not engage in."
In summary: we should ponder, is my livelihood causing harm or
benefit to others? Harm in the sense of physical harm, pain,
suffering, as well as mental harm, pain, suffering, or inciting
craving, aggression, and delusion in others. Also, is the
livelihood an honest or dishonest means of livelihood?