69. BUDDHA: Less is more
August 2nd, 2012
I found this anecdote floating around Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter and I thought it would make a nice, short comic. Sometimes I need a break from the heavy and deep quotes and just want to do something fun. Now, there’s no actual proof the Buddha said this so I didn’t use his name on the comic. If anyone has a definitive source for this, please let me know.
- While wasting time on YouTube I found this BBC documentary about the life of the Buddha which I thought you folks might be interested in.
- I changed my web hosting again overnight so I might have lost a few of your comments – I managed to reinstate a few but apologies if yours has disappeared.
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Simple and easy
Simple ? easy
Oops. Somhow my “does not equal” symbol got turned into
*sigh* …and then I accidently hit “post comment”.
So, as I was saying…somehow my “does not equal” symbol got turned into a question mark.
See? Proves my point.
And finally remove “happiness”, which is a baseless irrational feeling. What does it leave? Nothing. The nothing that will consume us all someday.
Happiness is not irrational, and it is certainly not baseless.
http://lesswrong.com/lw/hp/feeling_rational/
Blind faith in rationality is just as absurd, I guess
“Blind faith” Just Happy or happiness is not a move of blind faith; it is a conscious mindful choice. Your use of “just as” suggests that there is contrast between happiness a rationality; I perceive no such dichotomy.
Life is absurd, but it is also deeply meaningful. Meditate upon that a bit.
Right on P. Hill! and I will!
Pity how dissatisfied people find shelter in “rationalism” which is nothing else than another form of subjectivity.
Pity how some people over analyze things. To be happy, be happy. It’s simultaneously that difficult and that easy.
Though it is very well done, this comic is also wrong and westernized.
The true belief in buddhism, even stated by Alan Watts, is that to find happiness, you help others be happy.
That is how buddhism works.
The westernization of buddhism (which is actually killing it as a practice) wants everyone to just suddenly find happiness.
It removes the steps (deep introspection, correction, apology, atonement, virtue, chastity, patience, etc…..) and just says “Be Happy!!”
Impossible, until those steps are first completed, and then the finding of the truth behind happiness in the helping of others, which is what buddhism was always all about.
The rest is distraction, for temporary “ananda”, which is what is directed by, what, again?
EGO
The ego needs constant distraction, and will tell you that distraction is “happiness”.
The way the practice is structured in the west, you will will constantly be in search of happiness, you will constantly be slave to the ego.
Therefore ALL of you are incorrect, and the only person that was actually correct was the original poster, in that the “happiness” we know is an irrational and temporary emotion.
Take the hard steps, and you will truly find happiness.
And we wonder what has gone wrong with the world…….
Wow. Harleigh Quinn, that’s amazing. You just put a smile on my face. Thank you for helping a soul who needed a little lift.
Your way, and it would take me a lifetime to find and realize happiness, when I can have it–God forbid that it should be “suddenly”–as AngelusDlion suggests, “To be happy, be happy.”
Some things in life you just don’t have to work at–laughter, joy, contentment, and love–but you can struggle for them, if you wish to postpone them, and find satisfaction in sacrifice, and abnegation.
Totally agree with First Domino, AngelusDlion, P.Hill and Cristiano. Good
Beautifully put Harleigh Quinn, concise and truthful. You made me smile, hope in a sea of madness.
Define rational
http://lesswrong.com/lw/31/what_do_we_mean_by_rationality/
ra·tion·al/?raSH?nl/
Adjective:
Based on or in accordance with reason or logic: “a rational explanation”.
It does not matter if happiness one day leaves us, as non-attachment is what the Buddha teaches. Ones you practice non-attachment, there is no longer fear of loss, and as such, you will never feel sorrow, hence reaching a higher plane of “happiness” or enlightenment.
Just because something is irrational, doesn’t automatically make it bad or wrong.
If you’ve learned something new, then your time wasn’t wasted.
Completely agree with you. Plus the fact that life itself is continuous learning process that never ends.
The title of the comic enhances this normal overused quote quite a bit. I almost wrote a stern yet informative comment about how the Buddha did not actually say this, then I re-read the comic plus the info. On the same subject, has anyone ever reccomended this quote by Anthony de Mello: “To find the kingdom is the easiest thing in the world but also the most difficult. Easy because it is all around you and within you, and all you have to do is reach out and take possession of it. Difficult because if you wish to possess the kingdom you may possess nothing else. That is, you must drop all inward leaning on any person or thing, withdrawing from them forever the power to thrill you, or excite you, or to give you a feeling of security or well-being. For this, you first need to see with unflinching clarity this simple and shattering truth: Contrary to what your culture and religion have taught you, nothing, but absolutely nothing can make you happy. The moment you see that, you will stop moving from one job to another, one friend to another, one place, one spiritual technique, one guru to another. None of these things can give you a single minute of happiness. They can only offer you a temporary thrill, a pleasure that initially grows in intesity, then turns into pain if you lose them and into boredom if you keep them.
If you search within your heart, you will find something there that will make it possible for you to understand: a spark of disenchantment and discontent, which if fanned into flame will become a raging forest fire that will burn up the whole of the illusory world you are living in, thereby unveiling to your wondering eyes the kingdom that you have always lived in unsuspectingly.”
Nice passage Jake.
I WANT IT
Too bad my mind doesn’t work that way.
(and yes, that was partial irony)
Jake, In all of my long life I don’t believe I have ever read such wise words,thank you,and bless you.
So simple and true. Great sweet drawing!
An extremely simplified version of the direction of paths in Buddhism… streamline and simplify, nice! ~p? (^- ^:)
Buddha didn’t say it that way. He taught it so.
Awesome work as usual. This reminds me of another one :
” There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way” also by Buddha.
The WAY is THE way.
Great work Gav, definitely a quote worth remembering.
AWW YEAH, THE BEST QUOTE EVER (as of now) ! SO INSPIRING.
this is so fresh! this reminds me of the simple stories i used to listen as a kid..your art in this particular issue has such innocence
delighted! it kind of embodies the quote 
Just got into this site, very good web comic, go into my list of favorites, awesome drawing and awesome quotes.
Just thought you’d like to know, there are 9k+ more people that like your comic
http://9gag.com/gag/4925615
Great! Thanks for the link
It is my pleasure, you have awesome talents.
btw 20k+ now.
for comparison: http://9gag.com/gag/3323051
Ugh – they couldn’t even spell happiness!
Ummm… Gav… I think the misspelling of “happiness” was a joke.
Rather than taking the “I” out of “I want happiness” they (jokingly) took the “i” out of the word “happiness”, thus leaving “happness”.
Again, I THINK that was on purpose. Or perhaps I’m giving someone too much credit! :p
It’s ancient, but like fresh air! People are able to breath @ zenpencils! Awesome cartoon, awesome lesson! thx!!!:))
Definitely not Buddha, but in his vein.
Ego wasn’t a household term for the personal drive until the Freudian school got a hold of it, long after Buddha.
Though, I also think that the person who said you also had to take away happiness was correct, too: Buddhism strives for becoming nothingness itself, after all.
It seems you didn’t understand it.
A man said to the Buddha, “I want Happiness.”
Buddha said, first remove “I”, that’s ego,
then remove “want”, that’s desire.
See now you are left with only Happiness.
What about we? Hillel says: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?
Yes.
niggas
First, one must take the i out of niggas…
The philosophy is beautiful. The truth of it a bit less so. I wonder if Buddha would be as happy with a continuously empty stomach for several weeks. Forgetting I and Want might be a bit more difficult than this quote leads one to think.
But at that point food becomes a need rather than a want.
The difference, I think, is between a simple meal and a expensive buffet. Everyone, of course has needs. Food and water being the two most obvious. It is not wrong to want to continue to survive.
What a great way to illustrate this concept. We’re all on this journey of surrendering the ego by letting go of our beliefs, but it’s a painful one. We cling to our desires and our ideas, not knowing that these things stand in the way of real happiness. Thank you for this.
inspiring!!!!
“Sometimes I need a break from the heavy and deep quotes and just want to do something fun.”
Funny. This one is one of the deepest for me.
O LORD of hosts, blessed [is] the man that trusteth in thee. Psalms 84:12.
I’m still not happy.
Hi, I’ve been a silent subscriber for a quite a while now and well, I saw this picture on an FB page (http://www.facebook.com/buddhistbootcamp) and thought that I come here first because I might be out of line and there’s no credit and all – you know about this?
This comic is beautiful and inspiring! simple to complex to Simple!
Then why they’re killing innocent Muslims in Burma? Answer it.
Simple, they — like most humans on earth — have forgotten that happiness isn’t a limited resource. They think the only way to get it is to take it from someone else.
I understand the premise of this… however I’m not fully sure that I agree that we should take away our own personhood… that is in fact our identity and personality.
Why would we take away our own unique personhood if it is there where we can discover what makes us happy? We can dive into ourselves and discover what truly brings us joy through journaling, painting, and meditating.
I believe it’s putting too much weight on the outcome of our efforts that can make us unhappy. We need to live in the present moment; enjoying and being grateful for all that we have. We need to value the journey more than the results.
Contentment is key to happiness. When we desire things that are within our reach we can experience happiness too. The cartoon is very well made so kudos for that.. But I just wanted to share my perspective on why I disagree with this thought.?
All the best,
Eren Mckay
Thanks Eren, I always welcome and encouragement different points of view. You def have made some great points. I took ‘I’ as being the ego, arrogance, selfishness, narcissism – basically all the negative elements whenever we put ourselves first.
Well, seeing as the gag relies on a double entendre in the Latin language and translation through English (“ego” in Latin means “I” in English, but “ego” in English means self-importance, thee latter being the ego that must be dissolved, according to the Zen mindset, for happiness to follow), and that it’s snarky but not actually helpful in any way, shape or form, I’d say buddha probably did not say this!
Loved Jakes comment that nothing absolutely nothing can make you happy. In a world where stuff is constantly bombarding us via advertising ( buy to be happy) it is very apt.
The same quote is attributed to Swami Vivekananda.
But it is the wise words that count not the individual!
Enjoying going thourgh your illustrations! Lovely project you’ve got here
Um a Buddhist first of all
I don’t know if Lord Buddha actually said this in these exact words but certainly Buddhism teaches the way of happiness. And “less is more” really goes with it. possessions, complications desires are things we seek to get happiness. all temporary…long term or short term.
sometimes we get ourselves in to situations …relationships with things and persons and things we predict or expect to get hold of but these complications and relationships are so fragile uncertain and temporary, that we spend little time getting actual happiness from them and spend more time worrying about them and trying to keep them from falling apart.
we believe that a human…..in our language(sinhalese) means “manushya” or higher in intelligence….should not waste his/her lifetime just spending it to chase after desires…there’s always more to it than that….help others and see them get happy and make it your happiness
help others…donate…but do not except even a simple smile of gratitude in return…just enjoy that moment with that happy notion
true happiness lies where desires are less…..
one who does not….do not consider him a Buddhist because a Buddhist is not some one who would wear Buddhist symbols and praise lord Buddha…. buddha himself has taught that if you want to follow me…follow my teachings….he considered himself only a guide but not a supreme god….
(buddha has talked on these matters in so much detail….this is just a simple overview…excuse my english pls…um not that good with it )
Happiness is our natural state; Which we sabotage by wanting more things which we may not need.
Beautifully done. Keep going.
very true
that’s why a little child with a pure and an uncluttered mind is always happy and genuine
Buddha has said “let go”…this doesn’t mean one is asked to neglect his/her responsibilities but to let go of things that would eventually loose its state and that uncertainty will make us unhappy !
The answer lies within you …
hey Gav nice comic here
I’ve reread this many times… and suddenly I think if I remove the exclamation mark “!”, i feel happier
HAPPINESS
Happiness…..overated
I completely agree with your comic. God tells us to Give ourselves to the world just as his son Jesus did. Once we are able to follow Gods principles we find that true happiness that we’re always in search for.
Our lives are not about what we want or what we can get. It’s about lending a hand, helping those who are in need. Happiness is something that we is already in side of us and once we remove the “I” and “Want” from the equation we will truly be blessed with the abundance of Happiness.
God Bless
without I there will be no existence, without want there will be no action.
Only happiness exist but nothing to experience. Was Buddha sure about this??
Even plants desire. Have the desire to live. “Plants want to live”. Talk about poisonous plants.
how can u remove the I
the one who wants to remove is the I
Oneness helps you to see this and get liberated from this.
SIMPLE IS better….always… Happiness still is THE WAY….”LESS IS MOI” that Buddha character is a pretty wise guy–nice pick, as always
Happiness is a very subjective feeling, that each person perceives differently, therefore you can NOT make anyone happy. You create your feelings upon your definitions. If you once learn that the way someone treat you is not about you, but it ONLY SHOWS WHO THE OTHER PERSON IS and STOP defining your self-esteem upon HOW OTHERS treat you, you will never need someone to make you happy. You will understand that your self-value comes out of the worthiness of your character and behavior; if you are loving, kind and fair -then be happy about being YOU! Why do you need the applause of another? If you search for someone to SHARE you inner happiness, you will attract such person, wish for it! Do not make your feelings depend on others – think, speak and do something wonderful and you´ll be happy: your own feelings are your inside world. Cheers! Rossitsa (www.lifes-message.com)
Rossitsa
MORE IDIOTIC SHEEP FODDER
I’ve got a lot of time for buddhism but this is absolutely impractical, it’s of no use what so ever in everyday life.
Very nice illustration. Thank you for sharing it.
Removing ego is a day to day occurrence for those who work with others. My way or his/her way is often the debate of the day/week/month.
very intresting…
i found same thing in pranaworld also…
pursue excellence and success will pursue you
Just happened to read a article on the same topic:
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130513113934-69244073-does-trying-to-be-happy-make-us-unhappy
So. You desire to remove desire and self. Um… it’s YOUR desire, so you’re already personal and that’s still ego, to think YOU can make YOURSELF better (by extrapolation, better than others, because you can’t say better than you were without a standard to measure the improvement by, and if you’ve removed self, you can’t measure by self, so it has to be others….)
And you desire to remove desire… Your foot slips off the first rung of the logic ladder.