An Important Role of Environment for Man’s Happiness and Suffering · SBAM Repository

Title: An Important Role of Environment for Man’s Happiness and Suffering
Author: Ashin Janinda
Format: PDF
Language: English
Subject: Buddhist Studies
Date: 2019
Place: Mandalay
Publisher: Sitagu Buddhist Academy Mandalay
Rights Holder: Sitagu Buddhist Academy Mandalay
Abstract: This paper examines the facts that one’s happiness and suffering are dependent on environment. Some people consider that environment is not essential for one’s success and one can obtain one’s happiness and suffering only by personal exertion. It may be true to some extent but not totally right because one cannot experience the good result of his exertion if it is not right and does not lead to good destination. In this work, environment denotes people who one associates with. In fact, human being cannot live alone without associating with others. Their parents are the environment of their childhood and when they are adult, their teachers at school and friends are their environment. There are many people who experience happiness and suffering because of their environment. The Buddha laid stress on environment although he instructed his followers to rely on oneself for the purification of mind and liberation from circle of birth and death (Saṃsāra). This work stands for what environment is very important for one’s mental and material development, reflecting on two verses (206 - 207) of Sukha Vagga in Dhammapada as a basis. The Buddha said that it is always a pleasure to associate with wise and not to see fool. This paper will also explore whether good environment is necessary for one who have good original personality or not.

Keywords: Environment, Companion, Buddhism, Happiness, Suffering

Item sets: SBAM Annual Seminar Proceedings 2019