Â鶹Éç

In this week's "All Things Considered" (Sunday 3 May 8.30am and repeated Wednesday 6 May at 6.30pm) Peter Baker looks ahead to the Buddhist festival of Wesak, held every May on the full moon. A growing interest in the UK in this Eastern philosophy means that next weekend thousands of people will gather in temples and centres around the country to mark the birth and death of the founder Siddartha Gautama. Padmasimha from the Cardiff Buddhist Centre explains the significance of the celebrations and reflects on what Buddhism means to him.

Also in the programme we consider the subject of happiness. In the context of economic recession and with swine flu the latest pandemic fear, it is likely to be in short supply for many of us. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is not only enshrined in the American Declaration of Independence but perceived now almost as a basic human right in all western societies. But what do we mean by happiness, how do we measure it and to what extent is it dependent on religious faith? Joining in the discussion are Martin Robinson, co-author of "The 8 Secrets of Happiness"; Stephen Powell, a Leadership Coach and Richard Patterson of the British Humanist Association.

Related websites and info:

Cardiff Buddhist Centre

Gaia Coach Institute

British Humanist Association

"The 8 Secrets of Happiness" by Paul Griffiths & Martin Robinson

Publisher: Lion Hudson. ISBN 978 0 7459 5239 8