Q41. Where is the happy destination? Where can we dwell in happiness?

~ By Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~

In the early texts, there is a passage that speaks of celestial beings (devatā) dying, passing away, coming to the end of their merit and life spans. It also tells of their wishing to attain the happy destination, seeking for it, and wishing to know where to find it. In the end, they come to the conclusion that the happy destination is found in the realm of human beings. The celestial beings rejoice saying, ‘May your wishes be fulfilled! Go to the happy destination in the human realm!’

The expression ‘happy destination in the human realm’ signifies that in the human realm, impermanence, unsatis- factoriness, and not-selfhood can more readily be perceived than in the celestial realms. In the human realm, there are awakened beings, there are arahants, and there are the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha. In the celestial realm, that jungle of sensuality, there are none of these things. Thus, celestial beings come to the human realm in search of the happy destination and celebrate each other for so aspiring. It is ridiculous that human beings here should want to go to the celestial realm for happiness. Concerning people who seek paradise and happy future existence in the realm of celestial beings, they invest in it by making merit, giving to charity, selling their houses and goods, to build things in monasteries. How is that ‘going to a happy destination’? Think it over.

(From “Buddha-Dhamma for Inquiring Minds”)

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Buddha-Dhamma for Students (title of original translation) was composed of two talks given by Ajahn Buddhadāsa in January 1966 to students at Thammasat University, Bangkok. It was translated from the Thai by Rod Bucknell, and revised in 2018 by Santikaro Upasaka. To read/download as free ebook (pdf).

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For all English retreat talks, visit Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu.

For more information and free ebooks, visit Suan Mokkh – The Garden of Liberation.

Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives D-57