I heard this story at the ‘Buddhism and Science Symposium III’. I can’t remember all the details. If anyone knows the actual story, do share!
The question of whether a King or the Buddha was happier arose. It is easy to assume that the King, having wealth, power and a beautiful wife, was happier, while the Buddha seemed to be the opposite – poor, without political power and family. However, the Buddha asked if the King could sit still for an hour and still be happy. The King couldn’t. The Buddha remarked that he could sit still for days and still be happy, at peace.
This is a simple yet powerful reminder that materialism, status and even relationships are not the ultimate sources of happiness, that spiritual happiness, which transcends them, is not dependent on them. If we believe that our happiness is conditioned by what the King has and is attached to, how can we attain unconditional happiness? All worldly happiness becomes irrelevant on the deathbed too, for none of them can be brought along to the next life. The Buddha obviously renounced kingship when he was a prince for something greater – to become a Spiritual King of True Happiness!