THE HAPPY AND PEACEFUL LIFE ACCORDING TO BUDDHISM

Abstract

This paper aims to show a concept of the happy and peaceful life, and ways of practice towards it according to Theravada Buddhist principles. It is found that, in the basic level, merits are happiness due to the performance of good deeds while peace is the result of the concentrated mind (samãdhi). In this level, happiness and peace are distinct. In the intermediate level, peace (samãdhi or viveka) is the source of happiness and vice versa. However, in the highest level, the true happiness and peace of life are one and the same. It is nibbảna. Ways of practice toward happiness and peace in the basic level for the mundane life are the Ten Bases of Meritorious Action (Puññakiriyā-vatthu) and their important obstacles are the Ten Unwholesome Course of Action (Akusala-kammapatha) and the Ten Causes of Ruin (Apàyamukha).