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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 23

AArchbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama during their discussion on joy at held at His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, HP, India
in April of 2015. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL)

after a grueling workout. So “happiness” means mainly We have a marvelous intelligence, so the mental level of
a sense of deep satisfaction. The object of life or our our experience is more dominant than is the physical
goal, then, is satisfaction. level. Physical pain can be minimized or subdued by it.
As a small example, some time ago I developed a serious
Happiness, sadness or suffering – for these, there are illness. It was very painful in my intestines. At that time,
two levels: a sensorial level and a mental level. The I was in Bihar, the poorest state of India and I passed
sensorial level is common with tiny mammals, even through Bodh Gaya and Nalanda. There, I saw many very
insects – a fly. In a cold climate, when the sun comes poor children. They were collecting cow dung. They had
out, a fly shows a happy aspect: it flies around nicely. In no education facilities and I felt very sad. Then, near
a cold room, it slows down: it shows a sign of sadness. Patna, the capital of the state, I had a lot of pain and
But, if there is a sophisticated brain, then there is even sweating. I noticed one old sick person, one sick man,
a stronger sense of sensorial pleasure. In addition, wearing white cloth, very, very dirty. No one was taking
though, our sophisticated brain is the largest in size and, care of that person; it was really very sad. That night in
therefore, we also have intelligence. my hotel room, my physical pain was very severe, but my
mind was thinking of those children and that old man.
Consider the case of humans who feel no physical That concern greatly reduced my physical pain.
threats. They have a happy, comfortable life, good
friends, salary, and name. But, even then, we notice that Take for example those who train for the Olympic
some millionaires, for example – they feel that they are Games. They do very vigorous training, and no matter
an important part of society, but often these people as how much pain and hardship they experience, on the
persons are very unhappy persons. On a few occasions mental level they have happiness. Therefore, the mental
I have met very rich, influential people who showed a level is more important than physical experience.
very troubled sense that, deep inside, they had a feeling Therefore, what is really important in life is happiness
of loneliness, stress and worry. So, on the mental level, and satisfaction.
they have suffering.