A comparative study of the concept of suffering in Buddhism and Christianity

Abstract

Conclusion seeking to review the work done by pointing out the salient features of the different concepts in the previous Chapters which were relevant to the concept of suffering is incorporated in this Chapter. Both the religions show positive aspect of suffering though in a different form. Buddhism though tried its best to show the way that leads to the cessation of suffering yet portrays some positive aspects of suffering in the sense that many karmas will be worn out after one has suffered enough for the accumulated deeds including thoughts and speech. It is required that one will have to suffer for what one has done. According to the belief in the theory of karma, if one is poor intellectually, morally, materially, physically that too is because of one s past karmas. One will have to reap what one sows. There is no escape from that. But all sufferings have a cause. There is no unjust suffering. Christianity also promised removal of suffering in the end for all who believe in God s gracious deeds. According to Christianity too, there is no unjust suffering even a still born baby because everyone is conceived in sin already coming from the line of the fallen first man and woman. But Suffering is to be looked beyond sins and its consequences. newline