Throughout the history, people have tried to understand the world to reduce suffering and increase human happiness. Scientists and many others try to put their best effort to increase the way of satisfying the human senses, as they believed that it is the way to end suffering and gain ultimate happiness. However, Buddhist perspective of world in relation to human happiness and suffering is slightly different from this approach. Buddha has clearly mentioned that one cannot gain ultimate happiness from the external world just by trying to satisfy senses and also craving for that leads to more and more suffering. According to Buddhism, one has to understand the reality of what suffering is, causes of it, cessation of suffering, and the path leading to that in order to gain ultimate happiness. Buddha has also mentioned that this world lies on suffering, and to understand the reality of the world, causes of it, its cessation, and the path leading to that cannot be found externally, but within this fathom long body. The question arises here is, whether the world can give real human happiness with no suffering, as many people including scientists are trying to gain happiness by improving material world in order to satisfy senses, or is there any other path  shown by the Buddha. This research investigates the above question in detail with reference to Theravāda Buddhism. Therefore, it is important to investigate the relevant sections of the Tipiṭaka and interpretations of it as the primary source. In this research data collection is based on accessing those resources by using books, publications, meeting or listening to sermons of practioners, and also by using internet resources. The methodology applied here is not just based on referring to scholarly work, but also to use practical experience to critically analyze, with the aim of revealing the Buddha’s intention of teachings with respect to gain ultimate happiness.

Initial parts of the research try to understand how philosophers, scientists, and other non-Theravāda teachings tried to gain the happiness from the world and to see whether they have achieved ultimate happiness. Then the Buddhist perspective about the material world, mental world, and suffering and happiness is investigated. 

Findings of this research show that the Buddhist perspective of the world is different from others in relation to human happiness and suffering. According to Buddhism one cannot gain ultimate happiness just by trying to increase the happiness gained through by satisfying the senses with material world. One can achieve ultimate happiness within this life by following the Noble Eight Fold Path, as shown by the Buddha; in order to understand the reality of world by developing one’s own wisdom.

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