Understanding

Happiness and Suffering

~ an introduction to Buddhism
 Central Questions:
• What defines “happiness”; what defines
“suffering”?
•  Can we truly know genuine happiness and
suffering? Why or why not?
 Defining Happiness…
Reflective Questions
  What makes you happy? List 10 things / items.
  Imagine yourself 20 years from now… what things
do you predict would determine your happiness?
Add these to your list and circle the ones that are
the same.
  How would you measure or determine happiness?
  Have you ever suffered? What determined this
experience as “suffering”?
 Examine your responses:

  How many were material?

  How many were emotional?

  How many were spiritual?

  What conclusions can you draw about yourself?

 Deep Thoughts…
  Is there an answer life’s questions? How?
  What is more important: “things to do” or “things to
believe”?
  What determines happiness: “things that we have” or
“things that we know”?
  “Ignorance is bliss”. What does this mean?
  “Man is slave to his own ego”. What does this mean?
  What is more important: understanding happiness or
understanding suffering? Why?
 How do these questions relate to
ay
Buddhism? 8 Fold
Middle W Path

enlighte
n ment

suffer
ing
 Core of Buddhism
“I teach only two things, O disciples, the fact of suffering and the
possibility of escape from suffering” ~ Buddha

  Man is a slave to his ego: as he desires pleasure, wealth, happiness, security,

success, long life for himself and loved ones; however pain, frustration, sickness
will likely occur and death is inevitable
  The physical world and the suffering it produces, are real
  Individuals have been reborn into his present existence because of past karma. His
ignorance, which causes him to crave pleasure, wealth and other things of this
material world, and to commit evil deeds, is the chain that binds his to the wheel of
rebirth
  Only way we can avoid these evils: is by eliminating all desires (extinguish our
own egos altogether)
  This is true wisdom, and can be attained by following the Eightfold Path (set of
philosophical and ethical guidelines that should be pursued in ascending order)
 Finding Our Middle Path
  Read: Our Story: Discovering Solitude (on moodle)

  Complete: Reflective Practice: Buddhism

Right Mindfulness
  Having looked at an entire week of your life’s and its
patterns (good and bad= the roots of your suffering),
evaluate your lifestyle (healthy, balanced, aware etc.).