Happiness
Author Unknown

Happiness is ultimately determined by oneself alone, not by others. To base one's happiness on how one appears to the world is to live in a "provisional" way, only chasing after illusions. In contrast, to live in accord with the "true" or "essential" way of life is to determine to oneself: "I did my best. I am satisfied. I have won." These two ways of life are as different as heaven and earth, and water and fire.

Happiness is not a matter of form, nor does it have anything to do with outward appearances. Outward appearance, status or wealth does not determine whether one is happy. The essence of happiness, rather, lies in what one feels in the inner recesses of one's heart, in what lives and reigns in the depths of one's being.

Buddhism does not exist apart from the realm of daily life. Nor does happiness. True happiness lies within the ordinary and immediate affairs of daily life. And it is Buddhism that enables us to make the flowers of happiness bloom within this daily reality of our lives. This is what "Soka" (value creation) is all about.

Whether one experiences happiness or misery is to a great extent determined by the subtle orientation of our heart, by the way that we direct our ichinen, or our inner resolve. Since we are alive, then we might as well view all things in a positive and joyful light, as we will be much happier this way. Having a robust and joyful inner resolve enables one to quickly transform one's destiny.

When you base your life on faith, anything, even unhappiness or defeat, can be the source for future happiness, victory, and development. In other words, you can always "change poison into medicine" (hendoku iyaku), no matter what the situation. Everything that happens, whether good or bad, functions to test and train your faith. Be aware of this fact.

Joy is not simply personal, egoistic happiness. Nor is it making others happy while sacrificing yourself or your own happiness. You and others delighting together, you and others becoming happy together -- this is the Mystic Law and the wondrous thing about our realm of kosen rufu.

Your inner state of life is what determines your happiness, not status or wealth. When you cultivate a vast, all-encompassing state of life, you will experience abundant joy. Nichiren Daishonin states, "Faith alone is what really matters." Your mind of faith is what determines your happiness throughout the three existences of life.

An absence of suffering does not equal happiness. Happiness depends on developing the state of mind where one is able to transform all sufferings into joy. This rigorous struggle in turn gives rise to immense satisfaction and value.

By pressing forward without respite and taking courageous action, we can cultivate the supreme state of Buddhahood in our lives, and achieve happiness. Happiness lies in the pursuit of a noble and worthy cause. We will never feel deep fulfilment or be able to secure true happiness if we live in idleness or act from the force of habit without making a sincere effort.

Looking to others will not help. True happiness and victory are found in creating our own goals, working towards them and attaining them -- and in being satisfied with our achievements and having no regret.

To be dragged around by other people or the environment is not the way of life that the Lotus Sutra teaches. True happiness is not feeling happiness one moment and misery the next. Overcoming the tendency to blame our sufferings on others or on the environment enables us to greatly expand our state of life… In every case, whether we feel happy or unhappy, ultimately depends on us ourselves. Without changing our own state of life, we can find no true happiness. But when we do change our inner state, our entire world is transformed. The ultimate means for effecting such a change is chanting daimoku.” (Daisaku Ikeda, exerted from UKE April 1997)

In order for our prayers to lead to absolute happiness we need to be well-focused on various elements.
Firstly, the object of our prayers must be to further the cause for kosen-rufu.
Secondly, we must seek for a solution in which there are no losers – everybody must gain.
Next, we have to be sincere, pure.
Finally, we should be constant.

These types of prayers eventually lead to absolute happiness.
Prayers like these make you strong.
Prayers like these move the universe.

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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.