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suffering

religion
Also known as: affliction

Quick Summary

Suffering is a central concern in many religions, often viewed as a consequence of human actions or a fundamental aspect of existence. In Christianity, suffering is understood through the example of Jesus, seen not as an end in itself but as a path to resurrection and new creation. This suffering is linked to overcoming sin, which is considered a misuse of human freedom that leads to opposition against God.1

Buddhism identifies suffering (dukkha) as stemming from craving and ignorance. The goal is to achieve enlightenment and attain nirvana, a state of liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. This is achieved by eradicating desire and understanding one's true nature.2

Hinduism also views suffering as inherent in the cycle of samsara (rebirth), driven by karma. Liberation (moksha) is attained by realizing the soul's unity with the absolute reality (brahman) and transcending the phenomenal world. In many traditions, human responsibility for this predicament is emphasized, often stemming from primordial ignorance or disobedience.34

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