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:

Happiness is having friends when need arises.

Happiness is contentment with whatever there is.

Happiness is merit at the end of one's life.

Happiness is the abandoning of all suffering.

In the world, respect for one's mother is happiness,

As is respect for one's father.

In the world, respect for renunciants is happiness,

As is respect for brahmins.

Happiness is virtue lasting through old age.

Happiness is steadfast faith.

Happiness is the attainment of wisdom.

Not doing evil is happiness. (331–333)

References and Links

Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011. (Link)

Buddha (1986).The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories. Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A. (Website). Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon. Courtesy of Nibbana.com. For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma.

https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=331

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