Date: 10/11/2025 10/12/2025
Location: Star Ocean Meditation Center
Teacher: Otto Huang
Dharma Talk
What Brings the Greatest Joy in the World
Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in Śrāvastī. On that occasion, four newly converted disciples gathered together to speak of their practice.
It was springtime, when flowers of every color were blooming in fragrance and beauty. Bees and butterflies hovered among the blossoms. Seeing this, the four disciples felt at ease.
Then one of them asked:
“In this world, what is truly the greatest joy?”
One disciple answered without delay:
“To go forth in springtime upon an outing—walking among the fields, feeling the warmth of the season, beholding the blossoms in their glory—this is the greatest joy.”
Another disciple said:
“Nay, the greatest joy is when kinsmen gather together. Imagine a fair day, when relatives assemble in health and safety, raising cups in cheer, singing and dancing. What greater joy can there be?”
A third disciple declared:
“Your views are mistaken. The true joy in this world is wealth. With abundant riches, all things may be accomplished.”
Then the first disciple said again:
“I do not agree with any of you. To have wives and concubines of beauty and charm—this is the greatest joy of life.”
Thus the four disciples argued fiercely, each holding to his own, unwilling to yield.
The Blessed One, knowing their contention, spoke to them with a story:
“Long ago, there was a king named Pu-an. He ruled a land not large and not small. Around him were four neighboring kings with whom he was in harmony. Often he would invite them to his palace, where for a month they would feast and delight together.
Once, at the close of such a gathering, King Pu-an asked the four kings:
‘What is the greatest joy in life?’
The first king answered:
‘When spring arrives, to walk in the fields, to behold the fragrant blossoms—this is the greatest joy.’
The second king said:
‘To feast and make merry in the company of friends and kinsmen—this is the greatest joy.’
The third king said:
‘To possess inexhaustible wealth, to spend at will—this is the greatest joy.’
The fourth king said:
‘To have a queen and consorts of surpassing beauty—this is the greatest joy.’
King Pu-an then said to them:
‘The joys you speak of, I regard rather as causes of sorrow. For all these things must surely pass away. Life is impermanent. To me, the greatest joy in life is the extinction of the self.’
Hearing these words, the four kings all agreed, nodding in assent.
The Blessed One then said to the four disciples:
“That King Pu-an was myself in a former life. The four kings were you four. In ages past you raised this very question, and now again you contend about it. Why do you still not understand?”
When the four disciples heard these words of the Buddha, they were filled with shame, and their doubts were dispelled. Diligently they practiced the Dharma, and in due course each attained the fruit of Arahantship.
