The Search For Happiness -- by Jeffrey Po

(......continued from issue 194)

b) Establishment of situations and conditions that eventually leads to a more stable, prolonged and permanent state of happiness. They include:

1. Establishing good health - the adoption and maintenance of healthy life-styles mentally and physically are important concerns in the Buddhist way of life. Though the Lord Buddha Gotama walked for long distances during his teaching and preaching tours, still Jivaka, the Lord's personal physician felt necessary that the Lord ought to exercise daily. The Dhammapada (204) mentions, "Of acquisitions, good health is the foremost".

2. Establishing goood friends - possessing good friends is seen as having worthwhile and strong support group. They can be relied upon to offer assistance (mental, physical or spiritual) when needed. Such support groups are therefore encouraged. The Lord Buddha Gotama advises Sigala (Sigalovada Sutta - Anguttara Nikaya IV-30) thus:

"Cultivate a friend whose ways are seven. What seven? He gives what is hard to give, does what is hard to do, bears what is hard to bear, he confesses his own secrets and keeps your secrets, in times of trouble he does not forsake you and he does not forsake you when you are down".

3. Establishing strong family support - sociologists today recognize the importance of being able to obtain material and psychological assistance from members of the family when needed. The bonding and strengthening of family ties vertically between grandparents, children and grandchildren as well as laterally between siblings requires careful nurturing and care. Once established, however, they offer immense and lasting valuable supportive strength.

4. Establishing the listening to and cultivation the Dhamma - the Dhamma, the teachings of the Lord Buddha Gotama as embodied in the three Nikayas are sources of inspirations and spiritual pillars. Buddhists are often urged to attend and participate in classes, lectures, talks and forums. The Milandapanha (335) says:

"Of all the medicines in the world. Manifold and various. There is none like the medicine of the Dhamma; Therefore, O Monks, drink of this!"

5. Establishing the ultimate aim of the Buddhist Path - the ultimate aim of Buddhists is the attainment of "eternal bliss" - free from the clutches of having to be reborn within Samsara. The ultimate happiness that every Buddhists aspire to achieve is the state of Nibbana. It is often said that this supreme state can be attained even in one's lifetime. The Theragatha (513) mentions:

"This immortal state. Has been attained by many. And can be attained even today. By anyone who applies himself. But not by those who do not strive"

6. Establishing the attitude of acceptance and contentment - today, sociologists and psychologists view them as important factors that maintain a person mental well-being. Both of them lead to realistic positioning of oneself when faced with issues and situations. Together they finally result in peace of mind and happiness. The Lord Buddha Gotama has this to say in the Anguttara Nikaya - V:

"When there is contentment, this good may be whether one has gone to the forest, to the foot of a tree, to lonely place, to an open space or amongst the monks, one finds happiness and pleasure".

7. Establishing peace of mind - this means the calming of the ever turbulent mind. This can be achieved through the adoption of Buddhist practices of mindfulness and meditaion. They can help, though much strenuous effort is required. The Theragatha (39) mentions.

"Real peace appears within. When mind is free from defilments. External objects do not provide peace".

8. Establishing a purpose of living - it is said that every living organism - large or small; tall or short; good or bad; sick or healthy; as well as inanimate objects serve a purpose in the scheme of existence. We are of no exception. Our individual existence today has been the result of many reasons and causes. Each of us is therefore here to fulfill some purpose. There is therefore a purpose that each is put into this world during this timeframe. Offer yourself reasons to live a rich, useful and meaningful life. Dr. K Sri Dhammananda (What Buddhist Believe) says:

"Man is the hightest fruit on the tree of evolution. It is for man to realize his position in nature and understand the true meaning of his life".

Despite the various admonishments of how to achieve the state of happiness, this goal would be extremely difficult to attain for those having to endure physical pains and impairments; facing financial hardships; undergoing emotional traumas; experiencing psychological setbacks; suffering personal failures in life; having to tolerate family crisis silently. The list goes on.

Are there answers?

Regretfully there is neither short cuts nor guaranteed methods to reach the state of happiness. Each individual threshold of receptivity to such state varies in depth and intensity. A happy moment for one might not be so for another.

The only advice that can be given is to live life from moment to moment. It is futile to look and search for "happiness". Rather, allow the process towards the fulfillment of a happy state be by itself happy moment. Look forward to a "better" tomorrow. Place your entire faith in the wisdom and compassion of the Lord Buddha Gotama. He will not abandon those seeking and placing their full trust in Him. In the Samyutta Nikaya (III-106) He promises:

"So, Be of good cheer, Tissa! Be of good cheer! I will counsel you. I will support you. I will instruct you"