Dhammapada 331

Friends bring happiness when a need arises

Friends bring happiness when a need arises; contentment with whatever one has brings happiness. Good deeds bring happiness at life's end; abandoning all suffering is happiness.

Translated from the Pāli by Banya

In plain words

Friends in need, contentment with what is available, and good deeds at life's end are each praised as sources of happiness. The final line goes further, calling the abandonment of all suffering happiness.

Key words

tuṭṭhi

contentment — Satisfaction with what is at hand, not explicit joy in others' success.

The story behind the verse

Mara tempts the Buddha

In the commentary, the Buddha reflected on whether kingship could be exercised without oppressive violence. Māra noticed the thought and urged him to become a ruler, and he suggested using spiritual power to turn a mountain into gold. The Buddha recognized Māra and rejected the proposal, and he explained that even great quantities of gold could not satisfy craving. He spoke about the suffering associated with sensual attachment, and he then taught the verses that name friendship, contentment, good deeds, and freedom from suffering as happiness.

Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).

Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.