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I always understood the ultimate aim of Buddhism was to eliminate unnatural desire (that is, wants driven into us by society), thus leaving our natural desires known to us so that we may more effectively pursue them (be they fulfilling human relationships, spreading good throughout the world, finding a real purpose in life, etc.). Sure, the monks take the acetism to degrees beyond what Sidhartha probably originally meant (leading to the age-long debate of whether a life devoted to reflection is better than a life devoted towards charity, much akin to Christianity's debate over faith versus works), but as far as I understand this, your basic everyday Buddhist just wants to rid themselves of unnatural, ultimately harmful wants and desires. I think using a philosophy like this, both versions of happiness are about the same.
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