Author: Audrey Lou
Happiness is a universal goal, but how we define and achieve it can vary widely depending on cultural background. Eastern cultures, influenced by Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, have a different perspective on happiness compared to Western cultures, which are shaped by humanistic psychology. So, what are the key differences between Eastern and Western views on happiness? What are their cultural origins, and how do these differences affect our lives and society? Let’s dive into this topic.
Eastern View on Happiness
In my neighborhood, there’s a cleaning lady who rides her bicycle to work every day and sings loudly along the way. Whenever I pass by, she greets me with a warm, childlike smile. I was curious how someone with such a demanding job could stay so cheerful. So, I took the chance to interview her:
One afternoon last winter, my sister and I encountered a cleaning lady in our neighborhood. Seeing her bright smile, we approached her and had the following conversation, which I’d like to share with you…
We chatted for quite a while about her daily life:
“When I was young, I really loved to read. Back then, my aspirations were very different from what they are now.”
Me: “What were your dreams as a child?”
“When I was a child, I wanted to study well and have a good job in the future. But there were too many of us in the family—eight siblings! We couldn't all go to school, so my family didn’t let me continue my education. My father was a teacher, but later he was labeled a counter-revolutionary... He told me, 'You don’t need to go to school, I’ll teach you at home.' At first, my father taught me, but then he got tired. He was busy with work and couldn’t keep up with teaching me. So, I ended up being self-taught. I read books on my own.”
“Oh, my life is very simple. I don’t work anymore; I’m retired now. I used to work in property management, but now I do some housekeeping.”
“It’s not that early. I usually get up around six, get dressed, tidy up, and have breakfast, so I can start work at 8 a.m. at the client’s house.”
“I work until about 9 a.m., then I go home.”
“Yeah, life is just about these little things, nothing much.”
…
Eventually, we started talking about the things she enjoyed doing:
“Oh yes! I really love going out and singing, just for fun.”
Sister: “You like singing? How about singing a song for us?”
“When I sing, I usually just stand and sing, nothing fancy. I just love to sing. When I was younger, I used to go out with a group to sing. There were all sorts of instruments—strings, winds, you name it. I was mainly the singer. We had to coordinate well, deciding on the key, and the others would follow my lead. Whatever key I sang in, they would adjust their instruments to match.”
Sister: “So, singing is your favorite thing to do? Anything else?”
“I don’t have much else, really. Besides singing, it’s just work.”
Me: “What about when you were younger?”
“When I was young, we lived in the countryside. I used to sing while working in the fields. People could tell it was me working in the fields just by hearing me sing. The crops were tall, but there I was, pulling weeds and singing away. We lived in the mountains, and the air was so fresh.”
Sister: “You grew up working in the fields and singing—that must have been great! You must have been so happy every day!”
“Well, you know, people should develop good habits from a young age, and not take things to heart too much. Keep an open mind! In my case, nothing really bothers me. Life is about living healthily. If I get into an argument with someone, I might be angry today, but by tomorrow, I’m over it. I don’t hold grudges or hate anyone—I just go with the flow.”
“Oh, people should be cheerful. If you encounter a tough problem while studying, take a break, go for a walk, and get some fresh air. Things will seem better afterward.”
Sister: “Auntie, can you recall the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced?”
“I don’t really know if I’ve faced any big challenges. I guess I’ve been pretty lucky. Back in 2004, when we were buying our apartment, we didn’t have much money, so I had to borrow some. Borrowing a few thousand yuan was a big deal back then, but I managed to borrow 60,000 yuan. I didn’t really stress about it; I just went ahead and borrowed it. I was so happy. I guess I was just lucky.”
“My son was getting married after finishing his military service, and we didn’t have much money, so we had to borrow some. We paid it back bit by bit. I’ve always felt lucky because there were always people willing to help me.”
Me: “So... you’ve lived a pretty happy life, haven’t you?”
“Yes! I’ve been quite happy. I don’t feel unfortunate at all—I’m very content. I don’t have much money, but I don’t owe anyone anything. I’m not afraid to earn and spend money, and it’s always been enough. That’s just how it is.”
…
As the sky gradually darkened, we said goodbye to the auntie. She waved at us with a big smile, pushing her bicycle as she slowly walked away…
Isn’t happiness just the warmth of the lights at dusk and the fulfillment of daily life’s little things?
Her simple, content, and positive outlook on life reflects the subtle influence of Eastern culture. The teachings of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism are clearly evident in her daily life.
Confucianism emphasizes personal growth, social harmony, and family values. The cleaning lady seeks inner peace and often says she tries “not to take things too seriously and to keep a positive outlook.” This aligns with the Confucian idea of the "Doctrine of the Mean," which advocates for a balanced approach to life. In her life, the concept of "benevolence" is also prominent. Benevolence includes both "ren" (compassion) and "ai" (love), where "ren" refers to caring and empathy towards others, and "ai" involves acts of kindness. Her love for singing and interacting with people reflects her passion for life and kindness. Despite modest means, she values raising her children, showing her commitment to family responsibilities.
Daoism promotes living in harmony with nature and practicing "wu wei" (non-action or effortless action). The cleaning lady found joy in working in the fields and singing during her youth, which exemplifies a natural way of living. When faced with financial difficulties, she received help from others and felt fortunate rather than anxious or controlling the situation. This accepting and tolerant attitude fits well with Daoist principles of "wu wei."
Buddhism highlights enlightenment and the idea that true happiness comes from understanding the nature of life. Enlightenment involves grasping the essence of life, suffering, and existence, leading to inner peace and wisdom. Key Buddhist concepts related to happiness include "Anicca" (impermanence) and "Anatta" (non-self). "Anicca" refers to the constant change in all things, helping to reduce attachment and lessen suffering. "Anatta" means there is no permanent, unchanging self. The cleaning lady’s calm acceptance of challenges, without anxiety or resentment, shows a detachment from a fixed self, contributing to her contentment.
Western View on Happiness
In contrast to the Eastern focus on inner peace, Western views on happiness center around self-actualization, well-being, personal freedom, and material wealth.
Self-actualization, a concept introduced by psychologist Abraham Maslow, suggests that the ultimate human goal is to realize one's potential and self-worth. Happiness, from this viewpoint, comes from personal creativity and achieving goals. In Western culture, external achievements like career success, academic accomplishments, and social status are seen as significant sources of happiness. For example, artists find joy in creating unique works, entrepreneurs in building successful businesses, and scientists in conducting research and innovation.
Well-being involves overall life quality and subjective happiness, including positive emotions, life satisfaction, and aspects like psychological, social, physical, and emotional health. People experience higher well-being when they achieve career goals, maintain good relationships, live healthily, and enjoy life’s pleasures (such as travel and hobbies). For instance, getting a promotion or completing a major project can boost feelings of accomplishment, while regular exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep contribute to physical comfort.
Personal freedom is also considered crucial for happiness in Western culture. Freedom means individuals can choose their lifestyle, career, and life goals without external restrictions. For example, freelancers can set their own work hours and tasks, and immigrants can choose their living environment, reflecting personal freedom.
Material wealth is an important factor in Western views of happiness, although it's not the only source. It can reduce stress, provide options, and improve living conditions. Comfortable housing, good healthcare, educational resources, and the ability to enjoy leisure activities all contribute to greater life satisfaction.
Comparison
In summary, Eastern views on happiness focus more on inner peace, self-consistency, and spiritual fulfillment, achieved through moral development, alignment with nature, and inner enlightenment. In contrast, Western views emphasize external achievements, self-actualization, and social recognition, with happiness coming from career success, social status, and personal freedom. Understanding these differences can enhance cross-cultural communication and offer a broader perspective on happiness in a globalized world.