Happiness and suffering

What is happiness, presence and real location?

 Happiness is sitting still and watching the clouds flying

 Happiness is to bathe in the river and watch the sunset

 Happiness is as free as an expanded-wind kite...

 

 

 That gentle melody has brought me back to reality. Also, for the first time after many years of struggling with the mess called "suffering", I feel that happiness is real.

 

 

When I still didn't know Buddhism, my feelings towards this life were not very favorable. From family to society, siblings have discord, fighting at work, fighting for rights,...everything. Oh come on! It has a bitter taste. Why is this so obscure? I always wonder how to get this thing called happiness. As a result, I try my best to study, hoping that my career and knowledge would bring me happiness. So what happens? After many years of studying hard from school to society, in addition to acquiring essential skills, I have planned to study abroad. In order to achieve those goals, I have to face anxiety, endless chasing and ultimately disorientation.

 

 

Gloomy days surrounded me, I thought that when I had what I desired, I would be truly happy, but I didn't expect that it would only be painful. Why? The question keeps popping up in my head. The peak is "insensitivity" where I feel that everything no longer makes sense or has any value. I don’t care about whatever happens. This unstoppable slide has brought me to the extreme of so-called suffering. Therefore, day after day, month after month, it continues to plummet.

 

 One day, when I saw my friends having fun and not worrying about studying any day, they were always cheerful and happy. At that time, I asked myself,  “Why do they always live happily, while I try my best to work hard but I always suffer?” Ah! What is the root of the problem? Then I finally found the answer. That is my own attitude. Next, a plan was proposed. The direction to find happiness began to be planned and implemented. It seems… I have found the solution! “Happiness! I will achieve it.”)

 

 

Therefore, he started the chase. He went to the pagoda to chant sutras, did charity work, made offerings, and helped people. It makes him enchanted to hope to quickly find happiness. Then when he encounters adverse events, unlovable people,... that's it. Oh! He continues to suffer. Oh no! Why is this? He wondered and struggled to find the cause. But it's not like he wants it. Suffering continues to tear that soul. The soul has already been broken. He looked up at the sky and blamed Buddha. Why doesn’t Buddha love or bless us? He wants to abandon everything! No more practicing! Fortunately! Happiness has appeared. When he heard the dharma sentences which he came across, "Happiness is knowing how to be content with what you have", "is here and now", "is within yourself, not looking outside". All the suffering from that time suddenly disappeared, allowing a gentle peace to spread throughout his body and mind. The thing that he has been looking for many years has been found. It's very simple, "right here" although he  ran everywhere searching for it for a long time.

 

 

 Then all negative attitudes about life, all the measurements that you set for yourself and apply to anything you encounter will disappear. It is the truth that Buddha taught, "When light appears, darkness disappears. When wisdom is present, ignorance will be repelled.” Happiness is when we know how to live with reality, know how to turn inside ourselves and reflect on everything to achieve good results, which must come from a kind and honest soul.

 

Best regards

 

 

Phước Huệ

Translated into English by Huynh Thi Khanh Phung