Importance of Buddhist Traditions

Though Abrams has made a clear effort to create a universal picture of joy instead of a religious picture of joy, he employs Buddhist teachings and prayers frequently throughout the book. From what Abrams presents, Buddhism emphasizes several of the practices and beliefs that both the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu claim are essential to joy. For example, Abrams recalls "a Buddhist saying that trying to seek happiness through sensory gratification is like trying to quench your thirst by drinking saltwater" (51). He also references the "Buddhist concept of mudita, which is often translated as 'sympathetic joy' and described as the antidote to envy," one of the most damaging emotions to joy (140). With examples such as these and many others throughout the book, Abrams draws an eye-opening amount of similarities between Buddhist practices and practices to attaining true joy.