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diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāraṁ

diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāra

masculine accusative singular, or nominative singular in apposition; a dvandva compound (often used adverbially)

1. bliss of the present life
2. living happily here and now
3. well-being in this visible world

Built from

• diṭṭha — root · seen, visible
  Past participle of √dṛś (to see). Emphasizes the phenomenal, this-worldly reality as opposed to theoretical or future fruit.
• dhamma — root · thing, nature
  From √dhṛ (to hold, bear). Here: the concrete nature or quality of the present world.
• sukha — root · pleasure, ease
  No certain cognate. In Buddhist usage, distinguished from higher peace (śānti) and ultimate bliss (nibbāna).
• vihāra — stem · abiding, dwelling
  From vi- (apart) + √hṛ (carry), literally "carrying oneself around"; connotes a way of life or habitual conduct.

Analysis. diṭṭha (seen, visible, present) + dhamma (doctrine, nature, thing) + sukha (pleasure, ease) + vihāra (abiding, way of life). The compound denotes pleasure and ease experienced in the present visible world, as opposed to the fruit of practice ripening in future lives. A key term in Buddhist ethics contrasting immediate well-being with ultimate liberation.

Etymology. diṭṭha from √dṛś (see; Latin dīcere is false cognate); dhamma from √dhṛ (hold, bear; Sanskrit dharma, Greek themis); sukha of uncertain origin, possibly related to su- (well); vihāra from vi- (apart) + √hṛ (carry), hence "carrying oneself about", dwelling. The compound builds the lived experience of present happiness.

Meanings from the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary; morphology and etymology by Claude.

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