Fo Guang Bodhi Class – Where is Happiness?

For 7th March Bodhi class, BLIA Trustee Tina Gao took 10 class members on outing to the Eastern Beach to read Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “Where is Happiness?” Taking a gatha from the “Dhammapada” that goes “During the moment when we can work in accordance with others and the conditions, we will have happiness, during the moment of moderation we can have satisfaction, wholesome karma from wholesome conducts can lead to a happy life and peaceful passing during the end, right faith leads to happiness.” The gatha explained that: indulging in eating delicacies, luxurious and adventurous trips cannot bring us real happiness. Only a relationship with a person that is like our teacher and friend, that which can give us direction when encountering difficulties, give us support during moments of panic, forgives us, and tolerate our short comings bring us enduring happiness. If we are always satisfied, then wealth is right beside us. When we have the right faith, there will be goals for the future, so all endeavours will surely be successful. So if our life has wholesome friends, right faith, satisfaction, and continued practice of good deeds, happiness will certainly be abundant.

Under the clear sky, beneath cool shade, and facing the ocean’s breeze, everyone savoured homemade vegetarian treats. They all made inner queries of “am I happy?” and the question is answered by everyone’s joyful visit to a class member who’s recently had an operation. The group truly looked like a big happy family while chatting away.