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[1]:
“Many gods and men are eager to know
what are the greatest blessings
which bring about a peaceful and happy life.
Please, Tathagata, will you teach us?”
Shakyamuni Buddha teaching.
(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 precepts and loving speech
This is the greatest happiness.
Buddha teaching.
“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 monks and nuns,
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 nirvanaThis 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 the one who accomplishes this
Is unvanquished wherever she goes;
Always he is safe and happy
Happiness lives within oneself.”
[1] Translation and source: Hanh, Thich Nhat. Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries (pp. 497-498). Parallax Press. Kindle Edition.
Lee Kane, Editor
Author | Buddha Weekly
Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.
Other Popular Stories
Body mandala practice in Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism — and riding the winds of the inner body “Where mind goes, the body follows”
Lighting the inner fire: subtle body as the path to Enlightenment — the five chakras, three channels and two drops of Tantric Buddhism and their practice
Empowering mantras to shift your mindset and improve your life: taking meditation to the next level — with chanted video mantras
Medicine Buddha video teaching: the Four Immeasurables are immeasurably important; meditation and commentary — H.E. Zasep Rinpoche
Shabkar’s Song of Practice: the entire path, from refuge to generation to completion in one song by one of the great sages of Tibet
Scientific Buddhist — 5 “Emptiness” meditation how-tos for achieving Theta brainwaves, for health and cognition benefits: mindfulness, repetition, sound, visualization, mantra
