Pursuit of Happiness: The Buddhist Way

Historical EvidenceAs a matter of fact, monks and nuns during the time ofthe Buddha, delightfully pursued their religious life.King Pasenadi of Kosala once told the Buddha that“he sees Buddhist monks and nuns smiling and cheerful,sincerely joyful, plainly delighting, their faculties fresh,living at ease, unruffled”. This was in contrast tonon-Buddhist recluses and brahmins “who are lean,wretched, unsightly, jaundiced, with veins standing outon their limbs as if they were leading the holy life indiscontent.”[Dhammacetiya-sutta of Majjhimanikāya]Professor Karunadasa’s public lecture onPursuit of Happiness: The Buddhist Way66 4/13/2013