Thursday, July 18, 2013

Two Kinds of 'Happy' - Which One are You?

Gosho: Happiness in this World

"There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo”

There are two kinds of happiness; relative and absolute. Relative happiness might include professional success, a rewarding family life, material possessions, good health, status in the community, and so forth. While all these are important in their own way, they depend on outward circumstances, and are therefore vulnerable to change. People who base themselves solely on relative happiness are governed by their environment and have no reliable foundation in life.

In contrast, absolute happiness – the goal of our Buddhist practice – lies on a completely different plane. It cannot be obtained by having wealth, power or people close by who care for you. Absolute happiness comes from awakening to your own Buddha nature, and from your commitment to a mission to help other people do the same.

Because this happiness derives from the eternal Mystic Law, it can become absolute. Even in the midst of the worst conditions of relative unhappiness, nothing can ever destroy it or take it from you. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with Faith in the Gohonzon is what allows us to develop this indestructible confidence and joy. Thus the Daishonin says ‘There is no greater happiness for human beings than chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” Please bear in mind that any happiness you may experience by comparing yourself to others and feeling better off, is transient.

Source: George M Williams, Vice President SGI


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