Discourse on Happiness
In Thích Nhất Hạnh’s chapbook Two Treasures, he writes:
The greatest blessing is to have good, wise, kindhearted friends close by. We can’t be happy unless we have a sane, healthy space within us and around us. We need a habitat that is beautiful and nourishing, and that gives us the safety and the freedom that we need. It is a great blessing to be among brothers, sisters, and friends who are practicing kindness and refraining from violence, stealing, and cruelty, and not caught up in addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling. A community that practices love and understanding is the best antidote to addiction to drugs, alcohol, and casual and careless sex. When people suffer, they look for these distractions in order to forget their pain. But these things only distract us temporarily from our suffering, they don’t heal us. Our community can be a family that sustains us. We can’t handpick everybody with whom we interact in our daily life, but we can chose to live among those who are kind and virtuous. When we can interact with those who are honorable and have great virtue, we are creating conditions that will bring us lasting happiness.
Maṅgala Sutta, Sutta Nipāta 2.4
I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was living in the vicinity of Savatthi at the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove. Late at night, a deva appeared whose light and beauty made the whole Jeta Grove shine radiantly. After paying respects to the Buddha, the deva asked him a question in the form of a verse:
“Many gods and men are eager to know
what are the greatest blessings
which bring about a peaceful and happy life.
Please, Tathāgata, will you teach us?”
(This is the Buddha’s answer):
“Not to be associated with the foolish ones,
to live in the company of wise people,
honoring those who are worth honoring —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To live in a good environment,
to have planted good seeds,
and to realize that you are on the right path —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To have a chance to learn and grow,
to be skillful in your profession or craft,
practicing the Mindfulness Trainings1 and loving speech —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To be able to serve and support your parents,
to cherish your own family,
to have a vocation that brings you joy —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To live honestly, generous in giving,
to offer support to relatives and friends,
living a life of blameless conduct —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To avoid unwholesome actions,
not caught by alcoholism or drugs,
and to be diligent in doing good things —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To be humble and polite in manner,
to be grateful and content with a simple life,
not missing the occasion to learn the Dharma —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To persevere and be open to change,
to have regular contact with monastic siblings2,
and to fully participate in Dharma discussions —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To live diligently and attentively,
to perceive the Noble Truths,
and to realize Nirvana —
this is the greatest happiness.
“To live in the world
with your heart undisturbed by the world,
with all sorrows ended, dwelling in peace —
this is the greatest happiness.
“For those who accomplish this,
unvanquished wherever they go,
always they are safe and happy —
happiness lives within oneself.”3
Translated by Thích Nhất Hạnh from the Maṅgala Sutta, Sutta Nipāta 2.4
1 “precepts”, in the original translation
2 “monks and nuns”, in the original translation
3 In the original translation, The final stanza reads:
“For he or she who accomplish this,
unvanquished wherever she goes,
always he is safe and happy —
happiness lives within oneself.”
