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Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment
In the Madhyama Āgama and the Middle Length Discourses, the term Dristadharma Sukhavihari is translated as Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment—abiding in the Dharma of the present—emphasizing living peacefully and happily right here and now, not chasing after the past or the future. In the Upāsaka Sūtra (Madhyama Āgama 128; Aṅguttara Nikāya 3.211), which is addressed to lay friends, the Buddha teaches that when we practice diligently
- the Five Mindfulness Trainings—the five precepts of mindful living
-
the Four Powerful Minds—contemplation of the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, and the Precepts
then we can live happily right in the present moment. The teaching of Happiness in the Present Moment is the foundation for both householders and meditation practitioners, helping them to dwell in the first dhyana, the second dhyana, the third dhyana, and the fourth dhyana—joy and happiness born from letting go of sensual desires, with applied and sustained thought.
According to the Samyukta Āgama, present nirvana (Seeing the Dharma and Attaining Nirvana) is nirvana right here and now, attained when the mind lets go of all attachments. There are three conditions that lead to nirvana in the present moment:
- letting go of sensual desire—releasing all attachments to sensual pleasures, fame, gain, and intoxication
- complete cessation—bringing an end to all afflictive notions, calming and stilling the mind
-
non-arising of the outflows—not allowing any new attachments to arise
When the mind realizes and abides in this state, that is the meditation of liberation and nirvana right in the present moment, for both monastics and lay friends, without needing to wait for the future.
