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Happiness
misecmisc1
I am a HinduIndia Veteran
hi all,
what is that happiness, which is not based on conditions - or - what is that true happiness which is referred to in Therevada teachings? Is true happiness a quality of Bodhichitta - or - is Bodhichitta nothing but true happiness?
please suggest. thanks in advance.
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Comments
Probably.
If you defined it, would it any longer be true happiness?
What do you think it is, @misecmisc1 ...?
A man said to the Buddha, “I want Happiness.”
Buddha said, first remove “I”, that’s ego,
then remove “want”, that’s desire.
See now you are left with only Happiness.
I could be wrong but if there could be a happiness that knows no opposition that would be it.
In my view Bodhicitta starts with a desire to help or heal others and blooms in full with the realization of non-separation.
So I'm going to go with yes. I don't think Bodhicitta is a Theravada term but it must fit in somehow.
Show me your happiness...Where is it ? Bring me a bag of it....
From what "I" gather, it is something that is consistent, does not fluctuate, meaning it remains balanced, a level of equanimity, undisturbed goes with the flow so to speak...
Happiness can mean different things to different people, but following @Shoshin's line of thought, I would say "equanimity" comes close.
Not to be swayed off-center by life's ups and downs.
Changing what we can change, but accepting what we cannot change.
See both the good and the bad as opportunities for growth.
"To live in the world with your heart undisturbed by the world, with all sorrows ended, dwelling in peace -this is the greatest happiness."
(Mahamangala Sutta, SN 1)
Indeed, well said.
The authentic and genuine motivation and capacity is indeed dependent on realization as you say. A Therevadin would only be able to generate this Boddhisattva ideal authentically, after attending to their own blooming. Otherwise they would be considered prone to delusionary or be sleep walking shadow puppets, playing at Boddhicitta. That does not exclude kindness, compassion or Bodhicitta for others. It merely tightens or narrows the wheel guage. Perfectly valid to use a Mahayana term in a Theravadin context IMO.
Theravada Buddhism, the way to true happiness
what is Bodhichitta?
Bodhichitta would translate to Awakened Mind - so what is this Awakened Mind? is true happiness really happiness or just peace - meaning it would not have the high tone of becoming happy on getting something and it would be just something like a constant tranquil feeling like when you get inside a room, in which AC is on and the temperature maintained is ok so that a constant pleasantness remains in the room till the AC is on.
This "happiness" is not the happiness as it is ordinarily understood but is actually ultimate peace. Unfortunately the majority doesn't want this and seeks pleasure. Even seasoned meditators seek pleasure from their meditation rather than the ultimate peace of nibbana. That is freedom from being enslaved by the 6 sense experiences.
True compassion comes after. That is why the Buddha spent 40+ years walking all over the place to make the Dhamma known and even continued to teach on His deathbed!
what is Bodhichitta?
Bodhichitta would translate to Awakened Mind - so what is this Awakened Mind?
how to achieve Bodhichitta?
please suggest. thanks in advance.
I think we all have bodhichitta but with time we will eliminate our flaws and become pure.
If any of us knew, do you think we'd be wasting time on a chat forum...?
Perhaps, perhaps not. Guess I'll have to let you know when I wake up. (More coffee please)
It is good to be curious.
Peace to all
Yes, we would, in order to tell the others how to do it!