The Dhamma for Love and Relationship

Definitions for love are plenty, but its essence involves the pursuit of happiness. Nonetheless, most people still find difficulties in love and relationship. Buddhist teachings are not limited to the monastic life, but also prescribe several principles for a good householder’s life. Although Buddhist teachings for love and relationship are less familiar, the age-old advices are never outdated to guide people to genuine love and lasting relationship.

Excerpted from the eBook
"In a relationship, a simple question: “When your loved one can no longer meet your expectation, do you still love him or her?” should be asked, and the honest answer can reveal the true nature of the relationship and the level of love to everyone."

"There are many definitions for love, but its essence is the pursuit of happiness. The basic type of love or raga is the pursuit of happiness to feed selfish or unskillful desires. On the other hand, the higher kind of love or metta comes from the skillful and wholesome desire (chanda) for the happiness of others."

"When people first fall in love, they may overlook or just ignore their differences. However, as their relationship develops, the differences could come to be the source of conflict."

"Buddhist teachings for householders’ also prescribe duties and conduct in a marriage. Nonetheless, morality precepts and rules of conduct are useless without a solid foundation of virtues."

Bhikkhu P.A.Payutto
Understanding the Dhamma’s sublime qualities and applying the age-old virtues to modern day’s problem require exceptional skills. Bikkhu P.A. Payutto is such a scholar. A Buddhist monk of Theravada tradition in Thailand, the venerable is a recipient of UNESCO’s Prize for Peace Education in 1994. His extensive teachings and writings apply essential wisdom of the Dhamma to present day’s problems such as world peace, politics, economics, business, education, workplace, society, health, family, love, and self-improvement.