Technically and theoretically, there could be much research, articles, and ways to be happy. The Buddha also talked about it profoundly and nuanced way; he referred to it as “sukha.” It is also important to note that the Buddha’s teaching of ways of happiness differs from the conventional notion of fleeting pleasure and gratification like the way his contemporaries talked. Instead, the Buddha emphasized a deeper and more enduring sense of well-being and contentment arising from within; mostly that deeper sense of well-being and contentment experiences by the enlightened beings – in “Pali” we called it “arahan.”
It also doesn’t mean that normal beings like us won’t experience that well-being and a deeper level of contentment. It is just the “arahans” experience the more spiritualistic and higher or ultimate happiness – the happiness beyond all.
Here I am going to give you a little closer look at what happiness means in Buddhism:
1. Inner peace and contentment: true happiness is often equated with inner peace and contentment that is independent of external conditions. It’s not the happiness that comes after chasing the fleeting pleasures but rather cultivating our sense of well-being that arises from within, regardless of the ups and downs in life.
2. Freedom from suffering: the central teachings of the Buddha are the recognition of suffering “dukkha” as an aspect of existence. The suffering in Buddhism is not avoiding it but understanding the reason for being unhappy and walking the right path which is eight noble paths.
3. Non-attachment: technically, there could be a lot of explanations for non-attachment but when it comes to happiness it is about being in the middle; in Pali, we called it “majjhima patipada.” We can acquire and have materialistic things but are not attached to them – not seeing them every day and rejoicing about them. At the same time understand the impermanent nature of things; it is new today and tomorrow might be broken.
4. Cultivating virtuous qualities: there are many virtuous pragmatic qualities in Buddhism, but the Buddha always advised the cultivation of compassion, loving-kindness, generosity, and wisdom. By cultivating these qualities, we can experience inner and deeper joys, connection with others, etc.
5. Mindfulness and presence: practice being fully present.
6. Interconnectedness: having deeper connections with all beings and cultivating compassion and empathy.
Overall, happiness in Buddhism is a deep and profound sense of well-being that arises from within, cultivated through wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. It's not about seeking external gratification but rather finding inner peace, contentment, and liberation from suffering.
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