Path To Happiness

Everyone, in this world, loves to be happy and to pursue happiness. Some are successful at being happy, but still don’t yet know the path to happiness. "What is the path leading to happiness?", is a question asked by those who have not yet found the path. There is a Zen story, which can provide an answer to that question. Here is the story:

There were three men, who went to see a Zen Master and asked him the question of how to be happy. They put to him, "Sir, the Buddha taught the path leading to the end of suffering, or the path to happiness. We have been Buddhists for ages. Why cannot we find happiness?" The Zen Master asked them how they had lived their life. The first man answered the question by saying, "Sir, I live in fear of death. Death is something fearful for me, so I cannot be happy now. I don’t want to die in suffering." The second man replied to the question by saying, "Sir, I am still young, so I spend my life work for money so I can spend that money in order to be happy." The third one said, "I devote my life to my family. They cannot survive without me as I am the head of the family."

The Zen Master said to all of them, "All day long you just live in fear of death. You just work hard, and you care too much about your family. How can the three of you be happy? These things distract you from the path to happiness." They were stunned at the words of the Zen Master. They argued with the Zen Master, saying, "But Death, money and caring for family are also what the Buddha taught about, aren’t they?" The Zen Master said, "Yes, the Buddha taught about these. But do you know how to apply his teachings in your lives?" They said, "No sir, please advise us what to do, so that we can put them into practice in our life and be happy." The Zen Master said to them, "Death is used to remind us to be mindful and of our responsibility, for life is too short. Money should be spent in the right way and some of it should be given away to those in need. Caring has three meanings: to love each other; to be generous towards one another and to be careful, or mindful of one’s actions, neither harming oneself nor others. Caring is neither attachment nor selfishness. This is how to put the Buddha’s teachings into practice. In this way, and with the wisdom from your practice, you will fulfill your life and be happy" The three men were appreciative of the advice of the Zen Master. What is more, they put his advice into practice, so each of them could be happy in life.

This story provides us with the right answer to the question; "What is the path leading to happiness?" Learn the path, understand it and put it into practice in your life. The path that is meant is the Noble Eightfold Path, whose eight aspects can be further reduced into three main main factors: wisdom, or right understanding; how to live a life based on wisdom and meditation; concentration on the path and mindfulness of actions. This is the path leading to happiness.