Buddhism is often interpreted as a philosophy of life rather than as a true
religion. This is understandable. Buddhism addresses the problem of suffering
and offers a way of life by which suffering can be overcome and happiness
achieved. Of course, Buddhism is not just a philosophy of life; it is also a religion.
But central to Buddhist teaching is a critique of the conventional conception of
happiness—a critique that can be appreciated independently of any distinctively
religious doctrines, such as karma and rebirth. Buddhism is a pessimistic
philosophy, but only in the sense that it insists that happiness, as we ordinarily
conceive of it, is unattainable. It is optimistic insofar as it maintains that true
happiness is within our reach, but only if we come to see things as they really are
and discipline our minds accordingly.
This essay examines the Buddhist conception of happiness and how it relates
to the good life. The first section focuses on a core Buddhist teaching: that life is
suffering. I argue that this should be understood to mean that the common
Buddhism is often interpreted as a philosophy of life rather than as a truereligion. This is understandable. Buddhism addresses the problem of sufferingand offers a way of life by which suffering can be overcome and happinessachieved. Of course, Buddhism is not just a philosophy of life; it is also a religion.But central to Buddhist teaching is a critique of the conventional conception ofhappiness—a critique that can be appreciated independently of any distinctivelyreligious doctrines, such as karma and rebirth. Buddhism is a pessimisticphilosophy, but only in the sense that it insists that happiness, as we ordinarilyconceive of it, is unattainable. It is optimistic insofar as it maintains that truehappiness is within our reach, but only if we come to see things as they really areand discipline our minds accordingly.This essay examines the Buddhist conception of happiness and how it relatesto the good life. The first section focuses on a core Buddhist teaching: that life issuffering. I argue that this should be understood to mean that the common
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