The Dalai Lama: Happiness through wisdom and compassion

doi:10.5502/IJW.V1I2.9

Paper

The Dalai Lama: Happiness through wisdom and compassion

Published Jul 20, 2011 · M. Ricard

International Journal of Wellbeing

Q1 SJR score

18

Citations

1

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

The Dalai Lama often speaks of a ‘Buddhist science,’ a science of mind and, for the last thirty years, he has engaged in numerous dialogues and collaborations with scientists within the Mind and Life Institute. How can this ‘science of mind’ contribute to our understanding of happiness? What does the Dalai Lama mean by this simple and straightforward statement “the main goal of life is happiness?” In this essay, I discuss what enduring happiness means according to the Buddhist perspective and the ways in which the Dalai Lama embodies this enduring happiness. I will approach happiness as a way of being, not a gift that good fortune bestows upon us and a reversal of fortune takes back, but a skill that can be cultivated. In order to become happy, we have to learn how to change our selves.

Study Snapshot

Key takeawayThe Dalai Lama embodies enduring happiness through wisdom and compassion, promoting it as a skill that can be cultivated through self-transformation.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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The Dalai Lama: Happiness through wisdom and compassion

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References

Citations

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Caring for bliss enhances the positive effects of mindfulness and self-compassion on well-being in college-attending emerging adults, while buffering the negative effects of low mindfulness on depressive symptoms.

Happy and Engaged: Synergies Among Mindfulness and Ability-Related Emotional Intelligence

Mindfulness and emotional intelligence synergistically support positive affect and social engagement in various contexts.

Four Fundamental Distinctions in Conceptions of Wellbeing Across Cultures

Cultural differences in mental wellbeing concepts include hedonic experience, self-enhancement, autonomy, and contextual factors, which impact international rankings and interventions.

What can we learn about pleasure from the study of religion?

Religion offers insights into the nature of pleasure and its importance in spiritual life, offering insights into the nature of value and its role in enhancing our sense of well-being.

Testing Buddha: Is Acute Desire Associated with Lower Momentary Happiness?

Acute desire states are generally more aversive than no desire states, supporting the Buddhist belief that having desires causes suffering.

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Meditation-induced bliss may be a release from conditioned neural patterns that block reward signals in the brain pleasure center, potentially reducing addiction and suffering.