Episode 150 - Happiness and Attachment

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once Buddha was staying near the Himalayas in a place where the people were being very poorly treated by three cruel and ruthless kings. Buddha had the thought, ‘I wonder if there is a way to get the kings to treat people better and to rule wisely?’ Mara, kind of a devil figure, observed Buddha having this thought. Mara decided to try and tempt Buddha into ruling as king himself. But Buddha noticed this and said to Mara, “your teaching and my teaching are quite different.” Buddha could not be tempted by power or riches. Then Buddha explained where happiness really comes from is in these verses:</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is having friends when need arises. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is contentment with whatever there is. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is merit at the end of one’s life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is the abandoning of all suffering. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the world, respect for one’s mother is happiness, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As is respect for one’s father. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the world, respect for renunciants is happiness, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As is respect for brahmins. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is virtue lasting through old age. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is steadfast faith. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happiness is the attainment of wisdom. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not doing evil is happiness. (331–333)</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>References and Links</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Buddha.</span><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The Dhammapada</span></em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011. (</span><a href= "https://www.amazon.com