Concept of Happiness in Phayapasits

Abstract

This article is aimed to analyze Phayapasits or Isarn proverbs to find the concept of happiness using Richard Layard’s concept of “the 7 big factors” which effect happiness as a framework for analysis and interpretation. It is found that, in Phayapasits, happiness is the states of well-being which consist of physical and spiritual pleasures derived from the most important factors, i.e., good family relationship, financial situation, and personal values or philosophy of life.

Another interesting finding is that the Isarn people’s way of life, as found in Phayapasits, is the process of finding the way out of sufferings rather than seeking as a goal for life. A happy life is a by-product of a life with lessen suffering. Furthermore, the findings imply that the thinkers from different social backgrounds, e.g., one from Isarn peasant society, the other from industrial society of rich country, both agree in principles that money is a factor to assist in decreasing suffering but is not a necessary condition to make one happy. In addition, both propose other important factors for a happy life, which are good family relationship and right value or appropriate philosophy of life. Other supportive factors include integrity at work, being in a good community and with good friends, good health and freedom in life.