The secret of a happy life (Three laughing monks)

Once upon a time, in ancient China, there lived three old monks.

No one knows their names, even today, because they never revealed them to anyone.

They are simply known as the three laughing monks.

The three always traveled together, preaching nothing but laughter.

They would arrive at a village or city, find a busy spot, and start laughing.

Slowly, the people around them—those working or passing by—would smile at the sight of these joyful monks. Eventually, the entire village or city would hear about the laughing monks and come to see them.


Seeing the monks laugh, everyone else would join in, and soon the whole place would be filled with laughter.
After spreading joy and happiness, the three monks would move on to the next village.

Their laughter was their only sermon and their only teaching. They never spoke to anyone, but their smiles were enough. Because of this, they were loved and respected throughout China.

People began to wonder if they had discovered some kind of never-ending joke. For many years, they traveled, spreading joy across the land.

One day, in a village in the northern province, one of the monks passed away.

The villagers were shocked and came from far and wide to see the deceased monk.

Everyone expected the remaining two monks to be mourning their friend’s death.

However, to everyone's surprise, the two monks laughed even louder than before.

Curious, some of the villagers asked why they were not saddened by the loss of their friend after so many years together.

For the first time, the monks spoke. They said, "We laugh because he is there.

We always wondered which of us would die first. He has beaten us, and we celebrate his victory.

We traveled through many villages and laughed together for many years.

What better way to honor him than to laugh as he passes away?" Though the people were sad, they respected the monks' perspective.

The deceased monk's last wish was to be placed on the funeral pyre in his old clothes, contrary to the tradition of changing the deceased’s clothes.

When asked about this, the two monks explained, "He told us, 'I have never been defiled.

I drove away the impurity of this world with my smile.

I don't need to be bathed or changed after death.

'" Honoring his last request, the villagers placed the monk on the pyre in his old clothes and set it alight. As the fire burned, something amazing happened.

Fireworks of a hundred colors exploded, lighting up the sky.

The monk had hidden Chinese fireworks under his clothes.

The sight made everyone laugh, joining in the monks' laughter.

This story teaches that, while life can be sad, laughter is the best medicine. The three laughing monks showed that happiness comes from within and should be shared with everyone. They taught that laughter reduces stress, improves the immune system, and creates emotional comfort.

So, next time you face a problem, try smiling in front of a mirror. It will bring relief.