Buddha is very interested in curing dysfunction precisely because he is interested in the attainment of enduring happiness. Those who consider Buddha to be a pessimist have missed the point. He is like a doctor who analyzes the causes of dysfunction and prescribes a detailed program of treatment. The cure is of course the eightfold path, the core of which involves the control of the mind. Buddha is known as the “master of meditation” as this is his primary focus and the key to the attainment of serenity and happiness. In a sense he is one of the greatest yogis, combining the breathing and some of the postures of yoga with detailed guidelines for a compassionate way of life.
Video:
Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard talks about happiness
Recommended reading:
What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition
Buddhist Scriptures (Penguin Classics)
In the Buddha’s Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon (Teachings of the Buddha)