Six bhikkhus in ochre robes sat along the wall to Ajahn Liem’s left (see previous post). Below the altar and to his right sat his translator, Ajahn Siripanyo, abbot of Wat Dtao Dam. To the right of the altar sat two anagarikas. The two were conspicuous in their youthfulness, in their stark white robes, and in their position apart from the ordained monks.
As I watched them, knowing that one day they too may take full ordination, I knew also they would miss out on many, many, many of the of experiences we worldly people enjoy. They would not have wives. They would not have children or grandchildren or loving pets. They would not have fulfilling occupations, new cars, or well-appointed homes. They would not take delight in music, theater, or dance. In other words, they would have none of the things that bring happiness.
Lucky them.
From a Buddhist view, all those things mentioned above and more – the things that most people consider the sources of happiness – always lead to suffering. That’s because all these things come to an end. They wear out, get lost, die. And when these inevitable things happen, sadness and sorrow and many other afflictive emotions are the result.
On Saturday morning Robin discovered on her dog – a miniature Australian shepherd named Metta – a weeping mass on his shoulder. Most likely, we thought, it was an infection caused by a bee sting or bite from from our other dog, Mollie. The two of them play rough at times. Robin figured some antibiotics would take care of it. This being the Memorial Day holiday weekend, our regular veterinarian’s office was closed. So off they went to the animal hospital.
It’s not so simple as antibiotics. Whereas it could be a puncture wound, a scratch, or something so simple as a single grass seed that worked its way under the skin, the surgeon found abnormal tissue. We’ll have to wait and see. If the infection doesn’t heal on its own, we’ll have a biopsy done on the tissue sample the surgeon took while he was at it. All day Saturday the mood was somber here at home. Robin’s dog may have cancer. Already she’d spent nearly $1,000 of very scarce money. What next?
Seven years ago a furry puppy brought happiness to a family. But what is happiness? The Buddha teaches that happiness cannot be found in people, places, or things. It can be found only in the absence of anything and everything that brings suffering, regardless of form.
As a householder I have the inevitable and necessary attachments that go with the occupation. And I am happy in the conventional sense because I do have much to be grateful for. Yet I can see – so easily see – how a renunciant’s life is a happy one because of what one doesn’t have, not the other way around.
It all depends on your point of view.
