Hermit’s happiness
One of previous lives of the Buddha, he had ever been a hermit master. The hermit master succeeded in the highest level of meditation and had a lot of followers.
Once, in the rainy season, he, with his followers, moved and stayed in the royal garden. When the rainy season passed, the king asked him to continue staying in the royal garden.
One day, the king, with his friend, who used to be a king, came to see the hermit master. One of master’s followers didn’t greet them but said only “Very happy ! Very happy ! Really happy !”
Because of no greeting, the king got angry and said “This hermit may be full with food, so he said like this.”
The hermit said “Don’t misunderstand him. He said that because he feels that hermit’s happiness is better than king’s happiness.”
The hermit added “He used to be a king like you. But when he was a king, he was not happy like this. He had fear and worry.”
“Naturally, one who look after no one, don’t need to be looked after, and not enjoy ephemeral pleasure will have a happy life.” He concluded.