Sukha Vagga — The Chapter on Happiness

Verse 197

This verse was spoken concerning the quarrel between the Sakya and Koliya kinsmen, who fell into conflict over the sharing of water for their fields until it nearly erupted into war. The Buddha went and settled it with the Dhamma.

He said that among those who still hold enmity toward one another, we live without returning enmity — that is true happiness. Enmity is never quelled by holding enmity, but is quelled by not holding it in return. One who lets go of resentment becomes light and at ease, no longer having to bear hatred that scorches the heart.

Reflection: When others intend harm, we need not answer with harm. Choosing to hold no enmity within is the gift we give ourselves before anyone else.

Verse 198

This was spoken on the same occasion as the previous verse, when the Buddha went to settle the quarrel of the two groups of kinsmen who raged against each other.

The afflicted here does not mean those troubled by outward things, but those scorched and agitated by their own defilements. He said that amid people burning with lust and hatred, we dwell cool and unafflicted, not caught up in their turmoil — and so live truly happy. A mind not infected by the heat of the crowd is calm and cool within itself.

Reflection: When surrounded by people who are agitated and irritated, we need not be dragged into burning along with them. Keeping the mind cool is a noble refuge.

Verse 199

This is still part of the same set of verses spoken when settling the dispute of the kinsmen, who each strove to seize benefit for themselves.

Those who strive means those who struggle in pursuit of the five strands of sensual pleasure — form, sound, smell, taste, and touch — never knowing enough. He said that amid people chasing endlessly after their cravings, we dwell without striving in that way — and so live happy. For a mind that knows contentment need not tire itself with grasping without end.

Reflection: Happiness lies not in gaining much, but in a heart that is content and full. One who can set down the struggle can truly rest.

Verse 200

This verse was spoken to Māra the Evil One, who came to provoke him on an occasion when the Buddha went for alms and received no food. Māra taunted that he would go hungry.

The Buddha replied, We have no defilements of anxiety, and so we live happy. The word kiñcana means the anxieties such as lust and the like that entangle the mind. When these are absent, one need not suffer for lacking external things. Even without food, he had rapture as his food, like the Ābhassara devas who sustain themselves on rapture, with no need for coarse sustenance.

Reflection: One whose heart is full of the Dhamma is unshaken even in times of material scarcity, for true happiness arises from within.

Verse 201

This was spoken to the monks concerning the defeat of King Kosala, who fought against King Ajātasattu and lost, returning in grief and sorrow.

The Buddha pointed out that the victor breeds enmity, because the defeated harbor resentment and thoughts of revenge; while the defeated lie down in suffering through shame and bitterness. Neither side is truly happy. But one who abandons both victory and defeat and lets the mind be at peace lies down in happiness, for he need bear neither enmity nor wounded pride.

Reflection: Conquering one another only perpetuates the cycle of suffering. Only one who steps beyond the game of win and lose finds true peace.

Verse 202

This was spoken to the husband of a young woman in a certain family who was fully absorbed in love and worldly pleasure. The Buddha revealed to him the truth of the things he clung to.

This verse compares the dangers of the defilements sharply: no fire burns as fiercely as rāga (lust), which scorches the heart into a fever; no evil is as ruinous as dosa (hatred), which destroys both oneself and others; no suffering is as heavy as bearing the five aggregates — form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness — which must be tended without cease; and no happiness is higher than peace, which is Nibbāna.

Reflection: What the world sees as delightful is in truth mixed with fire and burden. The wise therefore seek peace, the happiness to which no other happiness compares.

Verse 203

This was spoken to the monks concerning a certain lay follower whom the Buddha had a meal prepared for before teaching the Dhamma, seeing that hunger would be an obstacle to hearing the Dhamma.

He said that hunger is the foremost disease, for it is a disease that must be treated again and again with no cure, requiring eating every day for a lifetime; and conditioned things — the five aggregates that must be sustained without end — are the foremost suffering. When the wise see this truth as it is, they aim to realize Nibbāna, for Nibbāna is the foremost happiness, free from the burden of endless tending.

Reflection: As long as there is a body, it must be cared for and attended without end. Seeing the suffering of the aggregates as it truly is is the starting point of aiming for freedom from suffering.

Verse 204

This was spoken to King Pasenadi of Kosala, who had eaten so much that he felt uncomfortable. The Buddha advised him to know moderation, then spoke this verse revealing the true values of life.

He pointed out that freedom from disease is the foremost gain, for good health is a profit money cannot buy; contentment is the foremost wealth, for one satisfied with what he has is rich in heart and need not struggle; familiarity and mutual trust is the foremost kinship, for a trustworthy friend is nobler than a distant relative; and Nibbāna is the foremost happiness, above all happiness.

Reflection: The most precious things in life are often the ones close at hand that we overlook — health, contentment, and sincere goodwill.

Verse 205

This was spoken to the Elder Tissa, who withdrew into solitude and strove until he tasted the flavor of peace. The Buddha praised the virtue of dwelling in solitude.

This verse describes three tastes that the practitioner comes to savor: the taste of solitude, the happiness born of dwelling alone in quiet seclusion; the taste of peace, the stilling of the defilements; and the rapture of the Dhamma, the joyous fullness of heart in the Dhamma. Having drunk these tastes, one becomes free of distress and free of evil — a quality of the noble ones who drink the taste born of the supramundane Dhamma.

Reflection: The tastes of the world satisfy only briefly and then leave one hungry again, but the taste of the Dhamma, once savored, gives a lasting coolness and peace — worthy of the seeking.

Verse 206

This verse belongs to the set on the story of Sakka, who came to attend on the Buddha during his illness, showing his faith in the value of meeting the noble ones.

The Buddha said that to see the noble ones is good, and to dwell together with them brings happiness at all times, for one absorbs virtue and encouragement in the right direction. In contrast, not having to see fools allows one to live ever happy, for one is freed from being led into decline.

Reflection: The mental environment matters greatly. Choosing to stay near the good and away from fools is quietly laying the foundation of happiness for one's life.

Verse 207

This is still part of the set on the story of Sakka, spoken to the monks, comparing clearly the results of keeping the two kinds of company.

The Buddha said that one who keeps company with fools grieves for a long time, and dwelling with fools is suffering at all times, like dwelling with an enemy, for fools bring only trouble and lead one astray; while dwelling with the wise is happiness, like being among one's kinsmen who support one with goodwill.

Reflection: Friendship shapes life. Keeping company with fools is like carrying an enemy at one's side, while keeping company with the wise is dwelling in a warm and safe embrace.

Verse 208

This is the concluding verse in the set on the story of Sakka, spoken to the monks, continuing from the pointing out of the harm of fools and the virtue of the wise.

The Buddha concluded that one should therefore follow the wise — those endowed with insight, the learned who have studied much, diligent in their duties, industrious in what is proper, of good conduct and virtuous behavior, noble ones and true persons. To keep such company is like the moon following the path of the host of stars — beautiful and honored along the way.

Reflection: Choosing to keep good company is not merely gaining a friend, but elevating ourselves to grow along with them. One who stays near the light shines the brighter for it.