Of course the Buddha did teach about happiness, but it was not the aim. The goal wasn't to chase happiness, try to develop it, cultivate it. Happiness wasn't the goal, it was an effect.
As he says in the Dhammapada:
All things have the nature of mind.
Mind is the chief and takes the lead.
If the mind is clear, whatever you do or say
will bring happiness that will follow you like your shadow.
And also:
Rejoicing in this life becomes rejoicing in the next,
the one who does good rejoices in both.
When you see how pure your actions have been,
you will be happy, you will rejoice.
The Buddha emphasized that we need to engender a clear and virtuous mind, and when we do, happiness will be the result. The Buddha actually clearly taught what this mind looks like, describing eleven mental states that give rise to a virtuous mind.
1. Faith
2. Dignity, or integrity
3. Decency
4. Non-attachment
5. Non-aggression
6. Non-confusion
7. Diligence
8. Pliancy
9. Conscientiousness, or carefulness
10. Equanimity
11. Non-violence
Where is happiness on that list?
Instead the Buddha taught us how to generate a mind that leads to happiness. We can recognize and train in these mental states. We can pursue and have faith in that which is authentic and true. We can have integrity in what we do, a sense of decency towards others. We can practice without attachment, aggression or confusion. We can overcome our laziness and hesitation but showing up and putting in the effort time and again. We can look within and see our intentions and how careful we need to be with our actions. We can practice equanimity, seeing self and other as equal. And we can refuse to let our innocence be a container for violence, committing to do no harm.
Where is happiness on that list?
Instead the Buddha taught us how to generate a mind that leads to happiness. We can recognize and train in these mental states. We can pursue and have faith in that which is authentic and true. We can have integrity in what we do, a sense of decency towards others. We can practice without attachment, aggression or confusion. We can overcome our laziness and hesitation but showing up and putting in the effort time and again. We can look within and see our intentions and how careful we need to be with our actions. We can practice equanimity, seeing self and other as equal. And we can refuse to let our innocence be a container for violence, committing to do no harm.
Practicing in this way, happiness will follow like a shadow. Happiness is fleeting, it comes and goes. If we cultivate a virtuous mind, we will give rise to the cause of happiness. With a virtuous mind, even if we are not always happy, we will not suffer dissatisfaction or discontentment.
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