Re: virus: Buddhism

Robin Faichney (robin@faichney.demon.co.uk)
Sat, 27 Mar 1999 19:00:20 +0000

In message <v02140b1db3218b9687b9@[128.103.96.185]>, Reed Konsler <konsler@ascat.harvard.edu> writes
>
>This is what I meant when I said that Buddhism offers
>and end to desire but not constant happiness. I would
>also say that Buddhism offers an end to craving but not
>constant euphoria.

It's true that Buddhism "goes deeper" than mere happiness, but happiness is part of the Buddhist picture -- I recently picked up a book by the Dalai Lama called "The Art of Happiness". Also, though you're probably right about "constant euphoria", I think occasional euphoria is part of the picture too. Buddhist teachers don't usually emphasis this, because they see it as a distraction from what really matters, but meditation can and often does produce euphoria and even ecstasy.

>Anyway, I think we agree in mind if not in exact words
>or opinion.

OK.

-- 
Robin