The 4 Happinesses of a Homeowner


Attishok Happiness comes from having wealth

Attishok means that we, the owners of the house, consider having wealth to be an important happiness that everyone desires at all times. If we do not have wealth, there is no happiness either. However, we should also understand that obtaining wealth does not come easily or by stealing, stealing, or exploiting others. We must strive, that is, with the strength of our hands, sweat, and intelligence, which we have studied until we have become skilled in all kinds of business or  Any occupation that we are capable of doing, and that wealth we have always acquired through righteous and upright conduct, makes us happy and content, thinking that all wealth acquired through our efforts is wealth acquired through conduct, has come through the conduct of my own self, and has not come through evil conduct. This is called happiness.


 Happiness is knowing how to use and spend one's wealth. Happiness means that happiness comes from knowing how to use and spend one's wealth wisely. It must be distributed to the masses as meritorious deeds, such as supporting one's parents, children, wife, slaves, and workers who live in one's household so that one can be happy because it depends on the wealth one has. On the other hand, knowing how to give alms to monks, monks, and the poor is called making alms.  Absolutely avoid using wealth in the wrong way, such as spending on women, alcohol, and gambling. These are shameful acts that lead to the destruction of wealth.


Happiness is said to come from not being in debt. Usually, those who are in debt, whether small or large, always have sadness and fear in their hearts, lest the debtor comes to demand payment.  Those who are not in debt always have the happiness of mind that they are not in debt to anyone, no matter how small or large. This is called ansok.


Ansok means happiness that comes from doing good deeds. Every job that we do in our daily lives can bring punishment to the person who does it, such as being imprisoned, chained, and being punished with various kinds of punishments. All these results are caused by unwholesome work.  A person who desires happiness should abstain from killing, stealing, robbery, sexual misconduct, gossip, and drinking intoxicants. Instead, he should practice good conduct, have love for people and animals, engage in good business, be happy only with his wife, be honest with each other, cultivate mindfulness, abstain from drugs, and be clean in body, speech, and mind. Reflecting on his actions, he should be happy, joyful, and considerate of others.  Happiness and contentment also arise because of this sinless work. We are lovers of honor and reputation. We must be those who have good physical actions, good character, good speech, and good thoughts. In the Atthakatha Manoratha Borani, the Atthakatha Chara states that the three original happinesses do not have the sixteenth part of happiness that arises from sinless work.


 For that reason, even if we do not have wealth, we should not commit acts of theft, robbery, etc. We should think that the wealth we have comes from merit. If we lack merit, where did the wealth come from? When we are poor, we should not be too agitated, but should calm our minds and solve the problems that arise with our wisdom.


Excerpt from the book: Raising Children in the Path of Dharma

Composed by: Upasak Van Chanven

Text by: Upasak Sut Tola