It is a universal fact that everyone in this world strives for peace and happiness, irrespective of different views and understanding about it. Many historic figures such as the Buddha, Jesus, the Prophet Muhammad and many others came to this world and bestowed various teachings about how to acquire peace and happiness. According to Buddhism, there are two levels of peace and happiness: the temporal peace and happiness of the mundane world and the ultimate peace and happiness of the supramundane world; the latter is achieved by buddhas and bodhisattvas. Temporal peace and happiness is a state free from external war, violence and mental distress in which one experiences a perfect environment with an ecstatic joy, whereas ultimate peace and happiness is the state of great bliss achieved through complete realization of Dharma, and it is free from all obscuration—a level at which all suffering is rejoiced in with pure perception and seen to be endless happiness.
Every religion plays an important role in strengthening and maintaining humanity’s peace and happiness in the world. Likewise, Buddhism also serves as the spine of the contemporary world by applying the ideas of love and compassion, equanimity and impartiality, forbearance and contentment into practical experience—mainly grounded by the law of cause and effect. In this regard, a question arises: How do these ideas act as the inspirational source of peace and happiness?
The idea of love and compassion has a profound meaning which is beyond the grasp of common understanding. However, according to the practical account, Buddhism ensures the means and methods to understand the nature of phenomena and its reality by revealing the true origin of suffering. Consequently, we restrain from unwholesome action and adopt wholesome action for the attainment of peace and happiness in the world. Equanimity and impartiality are how we develop a sustainable practice of calm abiding and stillness within our mind. These practices foster the pacification of our lust, anger, pride, envy and so forth. Buddhism is the single method to motivate these levels of practices. If the people of the world could adopt the aforementioned philosophical ideas as profound commonsense—the fundamental guiding principles of life—it is very evident that people would be more civilized and broad-minded in accordance with their wiser human instincts and there would be less risk of social demarcation. As a result, everlasting peace and happiness could encompass in the world.
At the cusp of this degenerate age, the world has become unsafe under the influence of rising violence. Men seize opportunities to gain recognition, fame and popularity with self-absorbed intentions. These are the main factors that increase violence, unfriendliness and insecurity in the society. On the other hand, if we frame our mind to practice contentment, we can gain satisfaction through what we have and can decelerate our unending desires. As a result, an altruistic intention to perform actions for the welfare of others will be our dedicated practice.
It doesn’t matter if we are Buddhist or not; there is always a consequence for every action done regardless of good or bad. This is similar logic to Newton’s third law of motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Just like a body and shadow are inseparable, our karmic debts will follow us. Buddhism mainly emphasizes the concept of loving kindness and compassion as the guiding principle of life. Regardless of diverse religious backgrounds, if one accepts this idea, one would restrain from meaningless actions of body, speech and mind and gradually peace and happiness would prevail in the world.
In my perspective, Buddhism is only the way to accomplish a bridge to ultimate peace and happiness. But we are unable to experience the pleasure of the clear intrinsic nature of our mind because our mind is being stirred up by the afflictive emotions. Yet, one can achieve this ultimate peace and happiness through purifying our mindstream and through practising Buddhism, especially the secret Mantrayana. And, when our mind is unbound from afflictive emotions, that state is called the ultimate peace and happiness. This state can be attained by the meditative stabilization emphasized in Buddhist practice.
Sangay Tenzin
8th year, NNI
