The Role of Suffering in Christianity and Buddhism

This essay examines the role and nature of suffering in Christianity and Buddhism, highlighting their differing perspectives and approaches. It discusses how both religions view suffering as an integral part of human existence, with Christianity emphasizing faith and salvation, while Buddhism focuses on enlightenment and the Four Noble Truths. The essay concludes that despite their differences, both religions offer pathways to overcome suffering and achieve ultimate happiness.

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THE ROLE AND NATURE OF SUFFERING IN
CHRISTIANITY AND BUDDHISM
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The Role and Nature of Suffering in Buddhism and Christianity
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

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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 paṭicca-samuppāda 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, Nibbāna, 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.
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

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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.

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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

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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.

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