What is True Happiness?
Lord Buddha blessed US with his knowledge of true happiness 2,500 years ago. He difined true
happiness into two categories.
1. Happiness that depends on material possessions: [Samisa- sukha] are things such as material
possessions (like money or jewelry, or people such as husband, wife, and children), that lead one
to believe that one has true happiness. This type of happiness is impermanent, and will eventually
bring suffering into your life. For example,the desire of young people who seek happiness in
companionship; once they find their match they are happy, but then later on comes the suffering.
Suffering in the form of concern, worry, jealousy, pride, pain, disappointment, etc... Sometimes
the situation can end in divorce. This pain may one day overwhelm any of that initial joy
experienced in the beginning.
2. Happiness achieved through Dhamma. 1Niramisa-sukha], This is the only form of true happiness,
one that is free from suffering, and the point from which the individual will eventually discover
Nibbana.
Without the teaching of the Lord Buddha, the search for Niramisa-sukha', happiness free from
worldly possessions, would be a difficult endeavor indeed. Even Lord Buddha, had to endure six
arduous years of self-mortification before discovering Niramisa-sukha. During this period, the
Buddha came close to death more than once, but when he finally found true happiness, he chose to
share with US the wisdom of his experience by showing us the path to Nibbana, beginning with
ordination.
“He who lives outside Dhamma (the layperson), walks on a narrow path clouded from the truth. By
embracing Dhamma, one is bathed in the light of truth. He who lives by worldly possessions will
find that perfection and purity will remain beyond his reach. Therefore one must shave one’s head,
don saffron robes, and ordain into a life free from worldly possessions.”
Sometimes in life, even when we desire to live according to the precepts, there are times when we
must lie. For example, a secretary whose responsibility is to arrange meetings for his/her manager
must sometimes lie when the manager does not wish to meet certain individuals.
Even in professions held in high esteem, such as teachers, who are responsible for educating
students and doctors who care for the health of the community - all are vulnerable to commit sins.
There are many occupations where the nature of the job makes avoiding sin and bad kamma almost
impossible. For example, farmers who must kill insects and livestock, military personnel, who must
at times kill enemy soldiers, or sales people, who find it difficult to work without exaggerating.
The life of a layperson is a narrow one where even the opportunity strictly to observe the Five
Precepts is often compromised.The chance to live a life according to the Dhamma, and find inner
peace is not easy.Even when the individual knows about the benefits of ordination,it is no small
task to give up family and worldly possessions for the sake of Dhamma.The individual must have a
strong inner desire, love and support from family and close friends, plus the merit accrued over
previous lifetimes.
Lord Buddha told the story of his ordination to his disciples as follows. At the time he was
young, his hair was dark, and he was full of youthful vitality. His parents did not want him to
enter the monkhood and they despaired at his decision. Eventually,despite their dissuasion he went
ahead and shaved his head, dressed himself in monks’ robes, and left his home to live a life free
from worldly possessions.
