A CONTEMPLATION ON "WHAT IS HAPPINESS? WHAT IS SUFFERING?"

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. A short Dhamma talk on the Pathamasukha Sutta (AN 10.65), where Venerable Sāriputta answers a question from the wanderer Sāmaṇḍakāni on "What is happiness? What is suffering"   The reference point for his succinct answer is in regards to rebirth (i.e. our bigger predicament). This teaching from Venerable Sāriputta is a very powerful one because he immediately addresses right view.    In simple terms:  What is happiness = supreme safety from rebirth (nibbana), sanctuary from aging, sickness and death and the whole mass of suffering  What is suffering = no safety from rebirth, bound to transmigrating samsara due to ignorance and craving   In this short talk, we run through how to do this contemplation, drawing on our own direct experience. There are blessings in the meditation when you start contemplating by following Venerable Sāriputta's words or instructions. With right view activated, it will lead to developing right concentration. What you gain as insight, happiness, calm and equanimity from this meditation will flow into daily life, which can be most helpful during these challenging times. A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z828TAaPEKg Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai