Happiness within Buddhism is understood not as a single emotion or state of mind but instead as a spectrum of experience with simple happiness at one end and ultimate happiness (referred to as awakening, nirvana, enlightenment, or buddhahood) at the other. According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the purpose of life is to be happy. Now, that may seem like an overly simplified statement, but when examined in depth the brilliance and truth of this claim becomes clear. Happiness in the Buddhist context is closely related to satisfaction–the satisfaction of attaining what we want, while being free from what we don’t want. Therefore, regardless if our aim to be rich, famous, and powerful, or simply loved, content, and secure, these aims are all focused on the same result, to be satisfied and happy and to be free of suffering.

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Venerable Tenzin Tharpa is a Buddhist monk in the Tibetan Gelug Tradition and a devoted student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Venerable Tharpa shares a modern progressive presentation of the Buddha's teachings favoring a more secular approach. He is well known for his pragmatic, no-nonsense views, his ability to clarify complex philosophical points for all audiences, and his familiarity with all traditions of Buddhist thought and non-Buddhist traditions as well.

For free original Buddhist study material and to learn more about Venerable Tharpa visit his website at: http://TenzinTharpa.comThis work is made possible purely through donations, please visit my website to make a donation today.