Godot asked: --- why must the Zen followers be so damn happy? --- Ha! I'm not a Zen follower. Not a happy person either. You are right if you see me as a totally unqualified person for this debate, but I find fun in Zen (sorry for the monstrous alliteration). You know, sort of a routine: Huike (Second Banana): "Please, Master, bring peace to my heart-mind!" Bodhidharma (Top Banana): "Show it to me, and I will pacify it!" Ha! If you have to go taste the marrow of life, go with a Smile.