THE CONCEPT OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS IN BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

This research article has three objectives: 1.The concept of love in Buddhist philosophy 2. The concept of happiness in Buddhist philosophy 3. Analysis of the concept of love and happiness in Buddhist philosophy. This is a qualitative research. The aim is to study love and happiness in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The differences and relationships of these two types of feelings are studied. The study is on the level of love and happiness and the types of love and happiness in Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The study takes into account the spiritual value of love and happiness in human life according to the concept of Theravada Buddhist philosophy. The research results are as follows: 1. Love in Buddhist philosophy, especially in Theravada Buddhism, is often viewed through the perspective of neutrality and freedom from attachment. Wholesome love is called "metta", which means pure love without attachment to ownership or "tanha" (desire) that leads to suffering. As the Buddha taught that attachment to things, including love that comes with desire or ownership, is the cause of suffering (Phra Dhammapitok (P.A. Payutto), The Nature of Metta, 2546.) 2. Happiness in Buddhist philosophy does not mean worldly happiness that comes from physical pleasure or material success. But it is a deeper happiness that comes from training the mind and reducing craving. True happiness in Buddhism comes from letting go of attachment and desire that lead to suffering. 3. In Buddhist philosophy, love and happiness are deeply related, but must be considered in a different context from the general concept of society. In Buddhism, love and happiness are not something that comes from seeking personal satisfaction or clinging to relationships, but are the result of developing a pure mind, free from craving and clinging.