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Once Buddha was staying near the Himalayas in a place where the people were being very poorly treated by three cruel and ruthless kings. Buddha had the thought, \\u2018I wonder if there is a way to get the kings to treat people better and to rule wisely?\\u2019 Mara, kind of a devil figure, observed Buddha having this thought. Mara decided to try and tempt Buddha into ruling as king himself. But Buddha noticed this and said to Mara, \\u201cyour teaching and my teaching are quite different.\\u201d Buddha could not be tempted by power or riches. Then Buddha explained where happiness really comes from is in these verses:

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Happiness is having friends when need arises.\\xa0

Happiness is contentment with whatever there is.\\xa0

Happiness is merit at the end of one\\u2019s life.\\xa0

Happiness is the abandoning of all suffering.\\xa0

In the world, respect for one\\u2019s mother is happiness,\\xa0

As is respect for one\\u2019s father.\\xa0

In the world, respect for renunciants is happiness,\\xa0

As is respect for brahmins.\\xa0

Happiness is virtue lasting through old age.\\xa0

Happiness is steadfast faith.\\xa0

Happiness is the attainment of wisdom.\\xa0

Not doing evil is happiness. (331\\u2013333)

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References and Links

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Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011. (Link)

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Buddha (1986).The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories. Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A. (Website). Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon. Courtesy of Nibbana.com. For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma.

https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=331

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