The Role Of Suffering In Christianity And Buddhism

There are multiple religions practiced over the world. They each have their different beliefs and cultures that are interesting to observe. One of the most interesting aspects on religion istheir views and approaches on suffering. Two religions that I find have interesting views on suffering are Christianity and Buddhism. {draw:frame} In the Bible, it pays a good deal of attention to the reality of suffering. Christianity doesn’t disregard and turn a cold shoulder towards suffering like some religions have neither do they deal with it superficially. One of the larger books of the Bible, the book of Job is given completely to this subject. There are also other books for example the books of Jeremiah and Habakkuk that have much to say about
this subject as well. Not to mention the New Testament also mentions some very significant passages about suffering also. {draw:frame} We do know that God suffers alongside us and is good.
The evidence in that is that we know that He sent his own Son to suffer for us and through the suffering and death of the apostles. Also another explanation is that it was never in God’s intentions for suffering to come about but it came from our first parent’s bad choice to believe the serpent. Yet another explanation for suffering is that it is never good but God will use it to bring forth good. Suffering many times brings us back to good and He uses it to bring us closer to Jesus Christ. For example when things are good we tend to drift away from God and suffering brings us back to God as we see our true frailty and weakness. {draw:frame} Some Christians also fast to seek pardon for these misdeeds or to either participate more or fully understand the meaning of their religious teachings. For example fasting may symbolize sharing in the suffering of Jesus. Also people fast during lent to commemorate the forty days during which Jesus fasted in the wilderness. So they fast to try and better relate with Jesus and try and understand a part of his suffering.
{draw:frame} Christian believer’s response to suffering is very positive. They always keep in mind that God still loves them and that while there is life, there is always hope. A Christian believer states that “God calls us to combat with a real enemy (suffering) he has given us power to overcome, but not without a fight.” It’s as if suffering is God’s teaching on how to overcome obstacles in life and how to grow as a person. I agree with this concept of suffering. That by suffering we are learning, because if we never suffer consequences of our actions how will we ever be able to grow. If the suffering is from a love being ill then I still agree that we learn and grow as a person emotionally and mentally. The religion Buddhism is fairly centrally concerned with suffering.
A Buddhist is encouraged to explore what suffering really is, the various forms it comes it and its roots. We live much of our life in a selfish world and taking things from granted. Buddhism aims at the demolition of the self, the creation of subtle mindfulness, bliss, great compassion and moderation and gentleness. {draw:frame} The Buddhists view on suffering is one that most can relate to. That no one can escape death and unhappiness. That if someone expects to live life with only happiness they will only be disappointed. And if someone thinks that the world out there is all beautiful and happy they are wrong. They believe to life is to suffer, which includes experiences of birth, old age, disease, death, sorrow and frustration. But that is not to say that Buddhists are pessimists and believe that there are no moments of happiness. However they believe those moments don’t last forever.
{draw:frame} Buddhists believe meditation is a healthy way to free their mind of all suffering in the world. Buddhism is a beautiful religion full of peace and tranquility. Buddhism’s concepts are very close to those of the Christianity. The similarities are that they agree that we need suffering in life and neither of them turn a blind eye towards it. The both believe that suffering exists so again I believe with this concept. That there is no doubt suffering in this world, it’s in every place we look. Whether it’s someone experiencing a death, the people in Haiti whom are suffering greatly or even someone who failed an exam. There are different levels of suffering but no matter what I agree that it does exist. {draw:frame} According to Buddhism, after death one is either reborn into another body (reincarnated) or enters nirvana which is the freedom from the endless cycle of reincarnation. The Buddha described reincarnation as, “although each flame is causally connected to the one that came before it, is it not the same flame. Thus, in Buddhism, reincarnation is usually referred to as ‘transmigration’”. I wish there was reincarnation, I can’t imagine not living. So where I stand for afterlife is I’m siding towards reincarnation. No one can really know if we live another life, I like to lean towards that after we die we are born into another body however with absolutely zero memory of our prior life.