Happiness spreads the Dharma

[KwanSeum]

In the Mahagopalaka Sutta (The Major Discourse on the Cowherd) Buddha explains the conditions under which the Teaching would grow and prosper by giving an example of a cowherd and then applying these skills to a bhikkhu who will help the Teaching grow and prosper. Below (image) are the eleven factors as applied to the cowherd and a monk.

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The seventh of the eleven says that the bhikkhu should 'experience joy' and I assume that after seeing that the Dharma makes monks happy others will want to follow it to become joyful themselves - hence its importance!

Are there other times that Buddha stressed that it is important to be happy and joyful or is this the only one?

Thanks, KwanSeum

[KwanSeum]

Wherever holy men dwell, that is indeed a place of joy - be it in the village, or in a forest, or in a valley or on the hills. They make delightful the forests where other people could not dwell. Because they have not the burden of desires, they have that joy which others find not.

Live in joy,
In love,
Even among those who hate.
Live in joy,
In health,
Even among the afflicted.
Live in joy,
In peace,
Even among the troubled.
Live in joy,
Without possessions.
Like the shining ones.
The winner sows hatred
Because the loser suffers.
Let go of winning and losing
And find joy.

If a man speaks or acts with a pure mind, joy follows him as his own shadow.

A mind well guarded is a source of great joy.

[Fu Ri Shin]

Are there other times that Buddha stressed that it is important to be happy and joyful or is this the only one?

Considering joy (piti) is one of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, I'd say he was constantly stressing it.

[Adamantine]

nice topic! how do we express joy on an internet forum? smilies?

[gregkavarnos]

The Dharma spreads happiness!

[Caz]

Oh yes being Joyful is important its why you see all these great Lama's and practitoners with a cheeky smile...And then you occassionally come across the Langri tangpa types as well, But for the majority of people it is not advisable to become known as grim face when being a Dharm practitoner as people see ordinary appearances very strongly so they will be given the impression that Dharma does the reverse of what it says on the label ( If your an accomplished practitoner however this is different matter )

[Blue Garuda]

The Dharma spreads Happiness, so it is reciprocal and cumulative.

[Caz]

The Dharma spreads Happiness, so it is reciprocal and cumulative.

Well I certainly hope it does Yeshe, Especially when the fundementals are taken to heart that which we build our mandala on