How to achieve happiness – XIV Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso
The tradition of the Dalai Lama as the spiritual leader of Tibet and the Tibetan people dates back to the 16th century with the rise of the Gelug school of Buddhism.
Tenzin Gyatso was recognized as a tulku, the embodiment of the Buddha of Compassion, in the Amdo province of northeastern Tibet when he was just two years old. At the age of 15, on November 17, 1950, he was officially declared the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.
Fleeing to India in 1959 due to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, he continued to nonviolently fight for its freedom, which led to him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Although modestly describing himself as a “simple Buddhist monk – no more, no less,” his great spiritual strength and rich personal life experience have made him an authentic teacher for the Tibetan people and countless followers around the world. Today, his teachings are received with equal respect not only by representatives of all religions but also by atheists. He is a frequent guest of world leaders and prominent figures. Enlightened scientists. Tirelessly traveling, connecting continents and people, pointing out the problems of our time and the possibilities of their solutions.
Modern society
In his writings and lectures, His Holiness the Dalai Lama emphasizes how encounters with people from around the world remind him of the fundamental equality of all human beings: regardless of race, religious affiliation, education, material and financial status, we all want to be happy and avoid suffering. However, the modern way of life increasingly distances us from this goal. The Dalai Lama cites two main reasons: an excessive pursuit of material wealth and a sense of alienation from one another. He says there are many who try to find happiness in constant material acquisition. In their preoccupation, they lose sight of the initial dream of happiness and become trapped in a never-ending cycle, torn between the desire for further acquisition and a secure future. This pursuit of happiness and life security often ends in mental and emotional suffering, resulting in dissatisfaction, worries, insecurity, depression, and confinement.
True happiness – inner peace
Therefore, the only possible path to true happiness lies within ourselves. This fact explains the paradox that there are people who are dissatisfied despite their material wealth, as well as those who are happy despite difficult life circumstances. The basic characteristic of true happiness is inner peace. Peace, says the Dalai Lama, is the reason why our sense of happiness will not be shaken, regardless of external difficulties.
The foundation of internal peace lies in our attitude towards external circumstances. Namely, we cannot always change or adapt to external circumstances, but we can change our attitude towards them.
A great source of internal peace, and therefore genuine happiness, is our actions. The Dalai Lama notes that there is nothing inherently wrong with the desire for material possessions or enjoying life. It is a part of human nature to want to see, touch, and possess. The problem, says the Dalai Lama, lies not in materialism, but in the misconception that complete satisfaction arises from sensual pleasures. It is important to recognize that fulfilling desires born out of sensual pleasure only gives rise to new desires. Furthermore, we discover that these pleasures are transient and last only until a new desire is born or the feelings simply wear off. By analyzing our desires, aspirations, and actions, we can uncover their true nature. In order for them to be satisfied, we conclude that it is necessary to evaluate and consider their consequences for us and others. In this process, the question of our ethics spontaneously arises, says Dalai Lama. Moral action, he explains, is when we refrain from causing any harm to others’ experiences or expectations of happiness. Why is this important? Because every action of ours has a universal dimension, and therefore the potential to impact others’ happiness, ethics ensures that we will not harm others. Ethics enables true happiness for both us and others. On the contrary, by striving solely to satisfy our own desires and predefined life goals without considering the happiness of those around us, we actually hinder our own attainment of lasting happiness. Because, as Dalai Lama says, “inner peace and genuine happiness of which I speak include caring for other beings and a great sensitivity to their suffering.”
To achieve our ethical action, nying – empathy is necessary, which implies is kindness, gentleness, generosity, and warmth of heart, and that is sò pa, which is most commonly translated as “patience” but literally means “able to resist”. It is the means by which we practice true nonviolence. Sò pa is determined restraint, in other words, one who strives for patient restraint is determined not to give in to negative impulses that manifest as destructive emotions such as anger, hatred, desire for revenge, opposing the desire to harm, and not repaying evil with evil. This patience should not be confused with passivity, but rather the opposite. One who actively strives for patient restraint is able to better and more accurately assess and provide a nonviolent response than someone who succumbs to negative emotions and thoughts. From this, we see that it is something opposite to timidity, which arises when we lose self-confidence or prudence due to fear.
Therefore, the Dalai Lama emphasizes, if we truly want to be happy, there is only one path – the path of virtue. The foundation of virtue is Moral discipline is essential. In Tibet, there is a saying that walking the path of virtue is as challenging as leading a donkey uphill. The task is not easy because virtue is built gradually, just like a house is constructed brick by brick. Dalai Lama advises, “By cultivating a habit of caring for the well-being of others and spending a few minutes each morning contemplating the value of leading our lives in a moral and disciplined way, we start the day off right… The same can be applied at the end of the day when we assess how successful we were in doing so. Through such discipline, we strengthen our determination to be uncompromising towards ourselves.”
If we truly want to contribute to our own and the happiness of those around us, we must persist in doing good deeds. Simply put, the most important thing of all is to be a good human being. As Dalai Lama says, “You know, positive actions do not happen on their own. To make them happen, we must make an effort. We have to make an effort. No one can do it for us… It is the responsibility of each individual.” “And from us…”
Request
Ultimately, the decision about our own true happiness and sharing it with others is always made by ourselves. Neither gods, nor fate, nor anyone else can force us to do so. There are only examples of great people who, like stars in the night, show us the way. That is why Dalai Lama advises: “As I join my hands together, I address the readers with a request to live their lives meaningfully. If you can, do it by connecting with the spiritual. Live it sincerely and without hesitation, and little by little, step by step, you will be able to change your habits and inclinations and think less about your own narrow-minded goals and more about others. By doing so, you will discover that you truly enjoy peace and happiness.
Abandon your envy, discard the desire to win and triumph over others. Instead, try to do good. … Be simple, open, and try to be without prejudice. … I am not saying this as a person with special powers and abilities. I don’t have them. I am speaking as a human being: one who, like you, aspires to find true happiness.” “Want to be happy and not suffer.”