The Role And Nature Of Suffering In Christianity And Buddhism

Definition of Suffering

Write about the Role and Nature of Suffering in Christianity and Buddhism.

Suffering has always been an integral part of human lives. Generally, suffering results from the awareness of lack of harmony within the environment which is characterized by feelings of loss and abandonment (Fitzpatrick et al., 2015). Suffering is inevitable for living organisms. Consequently, different religions have had an interest in suffering theoretically and in public debates. In different religions suffering has different purposes such as punishment and creating awareness. Therefore, this essay explores the role and nature of suffering in Buddhism and Christianity.

Suffering can be defined as an act that is associated with physical and emotional pain. In both religions, suffering can be attributed to people’s deeds. In addition, in Christianity, suffering can be a form of punishment from God (Singarayar, 2016). In Buddhism, suffering is due to cravings and ignorance as will be illustrated below. However, in both it is still painful, purposeful and a way to test people. For example, Buddhists use suffering in meditation to understand the nature of suffering in order to overcome it. Similarly, Christians suffer willingly because Christ suffered. Further, both religions acknowledge that suffering is a process that entails a lot of stages to overcome. Conclusively, the nature of suffering is similar to both religions.

Buddhism is centered around the Four Noble Truths which are accredited to Gotama Buddha. The first Noble Truth is dukkha which refers to how unsatisfying life is (Kang, 2011). According to this Truth, materiality, feeling, mental formations, consciousness and perception make up a human being (Teasdale and Chaskalson (Kulananda), 2011). In summary, these components are referred to as suffering. Additionally, birth, death, and aging are regarded as suffering. Dukkha exists in three forms (Ingram and Loy, 2005). First, the normal physical and emotional pain we are all accustomed to. Second, the lack of permanence in life. Though we may enjoy life, we are faced with the impending time of our death. The third is dukkha refers to the lack of self. The cause of this suffering is said to be craving which is described in terms of sensuality, existence, and non-existence.

The second Noble Truth is used to explain how ignorance leads to suffering. This is done through the pa?icca-samupp?da doctrine (Kang, 2011). It has twelve links that start with ignorance and end with suffering. The components in the links include ignorance, activities, base of sense, form, name, consciousness, clinging, craving, becoming, feeling, suffering and birth. The third Noble Truth is the ending of suffering through the elimination of craving and ignorance (Eltschinger, 2013). This state, Nibb?na, is the highest point of spirituality in this religion (Kang, 2011). This is attained through the Fourth Noble Truth that provides a path with eight components which are the view, thought, speech, action, livelihood, concentration, effort, and mindfulness. Therefore, Buddhism regards suffering as a state to be liberated from.

Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths

On the other hand, based on the scriptures, suffering makes Christians trust in God and live by his teachings. According to Paul, individuals can be controlled by forces that hinder them from doing God’s will. These forces are ruled by the flesh which separates human beings from God and nature.  However, God has provided salvation to save mankind from the punishment of sin which is hell. In the old testament, God used prophets to make sure His followers abide by His rules. In the new testament, He sent His son to face suffering through prosecution and death (Ingram and Loy, 2005). On this account, Christians continue with His work and share in His suffering.

Moreover, in Christianity suffering is characterized in martyrdom. Martyrdom is the act of persevering through suffering due to one’s religious belief.  Furthermore, it can be regarded as a way to witness for Jesus Christ.  There exist two types of martyrs that are the red and white ones (Greene-McCreight, 2015). Red martyrs are those who die because of their faith while white martyrs exercise the act of cruciform in their everyday lives. According to the scriptures, Christians are called to suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ. With this affirmation, Christians can withstand suffering. This also unifies them as they share in the suffering of Christ.

In both religions, suffering is a form of punishment. In Christianity, one suffers when they lead a sinful life, with the eventual punishment being hell. In Buddhism, karma is a form of punishment based on what person is. The understanding of karma is what happens based on what someone becomes due to the motivations of their actions (Ingram and Loy, 2005). For example, those whose deeds are motivated by greed, delusion and ill will manipulate people which eventually alienates them leading to suffering. Meanwhile, those whose deeds are motivated by kindness attract kindness in return. The reason for the ill motivations is the human beings’ sense of lack. For Christians, the sense of lack leads to sin while for Buddhists it leads to karma. In both cases, the solution is found in life after death. Finally, Christians believe heaven to be their paradise while Buddhists believe in Nirvana.

In biblical teachings, God plays a part in eliminating human suffering. In the old testament, God wrote the ten commandments for people to follow to avoid sin. Later, He sent prophets to communicate to people His will. Eventually, He sent His son to die on the cross and save mankind. Clearly, God has consistently helped to ease human suffering. On the contrary, Buddhism does not recognize God in the elimination of suffering (Ingram and Loy, 2005). The teachings of Buddhism encourage individuals to seek awareness through the eightfold path to get rid of suffering.

Christianity and Salvation

In both Christianity and Buddhism, suffering plays a significant role in mysticism. In light of the above descriptions of the two religions, Buddhists view suffering as a problem that needs to be understood then solved hence liberation. On the other hand, Christians should accept suffering in form of a mystery which they should endure in compassion since they are participating in the suffering of Christ. The aforementioned is the general approach to suffering for both religions. Additionally, there are other approaches that illustrate the role of suffering in mysticism in both religions.

The first approach defines the two religions in relation to crucifixion and suffering. A Buddhist experiences death and suffering differently when compared to the average person (Urbaniak, 2014). The average person experiences physical and emotional pain and suffering. Contrary, an enlightened Buddhist experiences only the physical pain and suffering through the teachings of lack of self. Moreover, death loses its meaning for the enlightened one since after dying one experiences Nirvana not rebirth. In Christianity, the crucifixion of Christ symbolizes the crucifixion of self which leads to rebirth without sin. This differs from Buddhism which doesn’t recognize the existence of the self. Therefore, there is no crucifixion.

The second approach is related to how Christians and Buddhists experience suffering. Christians welcome suffering as it is their way to experience spiritual freedom where they are free from sin and share in Christ’s suffering. This is beneficial to Christians because they know when they suffer for Christ they are not alone and their faith is strengthened. In fact, Jesus encouraged His followers to forget about themselves and carry their cross (Urbaniak, 2014). For Buddhists, meditating on suffering creates a sense of awareness which can be used to overcome suffering. In addition, as stated by Tibetan Buddhists, it encourages empathy hence one is able to show compassion to other people. Understanding suffering in this way also helps one to overcome worry and stress during illnesses.

As illustrated Christianity and Buddhism approach suffering differently. However, there are two similarities in the two religious approaches. First, they acknowledge that suffering is part of our existence (Urbaniak, 2014). This is defined in the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism and salvation in Christianity. Second, they provide a way for human beings to overcome suffering to a place where there is peace. For Buddhists, the eightfold path leads to enlightenment and nirvana after death. For Christianity, the salvation which is freedom from sin leads to eternal life after death. Ultimately, though different the two religions appreciate suffering and use it as a means to acquire freedom and ultimate happiness.

In conclusion, essentially, Buddhism is a religion based on enlightenment while Christianity is based on faith. Through Buddhism, suffering is understood as a state that exists due to ignorance and can be eliminated through enlightenment. Christianity depicts suffering as a way of sharing in the work of Christ. In both cases, to be free of suffering one must first be rid of self. In Buddhism, the lack of self gets rid of the sense of lack while in Christianity Jesus said to save one’s life one must lose it. In light of the above, the two religions complement each other.

Eltschinger, V. (2013). The Four Nobles’ Truths and Their 16 Aspects: On the Dogmatic and Soteriological Presuppositions of the Buddhist Epistemologists’ Views on Ni?caya. Journal of Indian Philosophy, 42(2-3).

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Greene-McCreight, K. (2015). Martyrdom as Christian vocation: United in suffering. The Christian Century, pp.41-42.

Ingram, P. and Loy, D. (2005). The Self and Suffering: A Buddhist-Christian Conversation. Dialog: A Journal of Theology, 44(1), pp.101-110.

Kang, C. (2011). Sarkar on the Buddha's Four Noble Truths. Philosophy East and West, 61(2), pp.303-323.

Singaraar, J. (2016). God uses suffering to accomplish His purposes in our lives. The Priest, pp.10-13.

Teasdale, J. and Chaskon (Kulananda), M. (2011). How does mindfulness transform suffering? I: the nature and origins of dukkha. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), pp.89-102.

Urbaniak, J. (2014). Suffering in the mystical traditions of Buddhism and Christianity. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 70(1).