[staisacic]

Hi forum members,

The next quote has been taken from an article of Ajahn Brahmavamso discussing why Buddhism has had a successful spread in the Western World.

The issue that caught my attention is this:

Last century, Western priests and scholars dismissed Buddhism as pessimistic, saying that it only focuses on suffering. This was even repeated by Pope John Paul II in his controversial book on world religions.

To avoid this misunderstanding one may rearrange the central Dhamma Teaching of the Four Noble Truths as Happiness (Dukkhanirodho); the Cause of Happiness (the Eight-Fold Path); the Absence of Happiness (Dukkha); and the Cause for the Absence of Happiness (Craving). This shifts the focus onto happiness.

This is a simple re-packaging of the Dhamma that retains the essence while being more attractive to modern audiences.

It is justified by the Lord Buddha's statement that "Nirvana is the highest happiness" (Dhammapada 203, 204).

When I present the Four Noble Truths in such a way, I find all generations listen and come back for more.

The Success of Buddhism in the Western World
What resonated deeply when I first found Buddhism were the Four Noble Truths exposed with Dukkha as its focus, not as happiness. So I found this approach interesting.

Any thoughts about this?