Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu notes that happiness is the benefit of extinguishing selfishness, then warns that there are two kinds of happiness: the happiness of everyday people language that is the basis of selfishness, and the happiness of Dhamma language that does not lead to selfishness. He describes in detail three levels of Dhammic happiness: of non-harming or non-violence, being free of lust, and being completely free of all selfishness. He encourages us to be lokuttara (above the world) – free of dualistic misunderstandings which lead to attachment and selfishness. He introduces suññatā (voidness) that is beyond both positive and negative. It is the meaning of Nibbāna, which is unsurpassed voidness. He urges us to be on the look for moments when the mind is free, when the mind is void of positive and negative.

This Dhamma teaching was offered by Tan Ajahn on 5th September 1987.
Live English translation by Santikaro Bhikkhu; 53 minutes

Ending Selfishness series

8709 – [1 of 5] Danger of Selfishness

8709 – [2 of 5] Source of Selfishness

8709 – [3 of 5] Destroying Selfishness

8709 – [4 of 5] Benefits of Unselfishness

8709 – [5 of 5] Way of Practice for Ending Selfishness