Dutiyasukha Sutta

 

Once, the elder Sāriputta was living among the Magadhans,

In the village of Nālaka.

There, Sāmaṇḍakāni, a seeker of truth,

approached the Elder Sāriputta and exchanged heartfelt greetings.

When those joyful greetings ended, he sat down close to him and asked:

 

“Friend Sāriputta,

what is happiness in this Teaching and way of life,

and what is misery?”

 

[Sāriputta]

“Friend, the incapacity to experience joy

            That is misery in this Teaching and way of life

And the ability to experience joy,

                        that is happiness. “ [1]

 

[1. Misery]

 

“Friend, when a person is incapable of experiencing joy,

This kind of misery can be expected:

 

(1) When walking, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(2) When standing, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(3) When sitting, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(4) When laying down, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(5) When going about town, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(6) When in the forest, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(7) When at the root of a tree, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(8) When in empty huts, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(9) When in the open, one cannot find ease or happiness.

(10) When living amidst the monks and nuns, one cannot find ease or happiness. [2]

 

“When a person is incapable of experiencing joy,

This kind of misery can be expected.”

 

[2. Happiness]

 

“Friend, when a person is able of experiencing joy,

This kind of happiness can be expected:

 

(1) When walking, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(2) When standing, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(3) When sitting, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(4) When laying down, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(5) When going about town, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(6) When in the forest, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(7) When at the root of trees, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(8) When in empty huts, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(9) When in the open, one easily finds ease and happiness.

(10) When living amidst the monks and nuns, one easily finds ease and happiness.

 

Friend, when a person is able of experiencing joy,

This kind of happiness can be expected.”