A Discussion on Suffering

Suffering refers to the affliction of both the human spirit and the physical body. It arises from lived experience and serves a formative purpose: to temper the mind, refine moral standards, and elevate one’s spiritual cultivation.

The emergence of suffering is rooted in the fundamental principles in Chinese philosophy. According to traditional Chinese cosmology, all phenomena operate under the dynamic interaction of yin and yang, as well as the mutual generation and restraint of opposites. Where beauty exists, ugliness inevitably follows; where happiness is present, suffering must also arise. In this sense, suffering is inseparable from human existence. More specifically, it originates from humanity’s relentless pursuit of desire. Human desires are inherently limitless: the fulfillment of one desire inevitably gives rise to new ones, drawing individuals into a self-perpetuating and uncontrollable cycle. Within this closed loop, the spiritual world becomes increasingly hollow. Material enjoyment is often exchanged for inner anguish; prolonged immersion in material gratification gradually erodes human cognition and willpower. When individuals lose higher-order judgment and remain trapped in illusion, suffering and setbacks inevitably multiply, while the standards of the soul steadily decline.

What distinguishes human beings from higher beings is the presence of the seven emotions and six desires (qī qíng liù yù). For this reason, Buddhism designates the human realm as the “Realm of Desire” (yù jiè). Emotional and sensory thinking alone is incapable of truly overcoming suffering. As the Buddha Śākyamuni taught, “Human beings are subject to the Eight Sufferings, which constitute the karmic consequences experienced by sentient beings in the cycle of the Six Realms, and form the core of the Truth of Suffering in the Four Noble Truths.” These Eight Sufferings closely correspond to the seven emotions within the framework of human desire. The seven emotions and six desires exert a profound influence on all worldly individuals; as emotions intensify, desires proliferate, and once desire expands, the elevation of one’s spiritual standard becomes impossible. Under such conditions, genuine insight into the Way of Heaven (Tiandao) cannot be attained.

Suffering, therefore, may be understood as a form of trial imposed by Heaven. The historical example of Gou Jian, king of Yue, who endured years of hardship by “sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall,” illustrates this principle vividly. His suffering stemmed from the frustration of unrealized aspirations, yet through perseverance and strategic resolve, he ultimately led his forces to defeat the state of Wu. This example demonstrates that when suffering is accepted as an inevitable stage of life, and when it is confronted with courage and overcome through rational determination, its true value becomes apparent. Only by passing through the crucible of suffering can one approach truth.

As expressed in classical Confucian thought, “When Heaven is about to entrust a great responsibility to a person, it first afflicts their mind, exhausts their body, starves their flesh, and impoverishes their circumstances.” Such hardship is not punishment, but rather a form of divine endowment. Yang Lian, persecuted by the eunuch Wei Zhongxian, faced death with dignity and inscribed with his own blood the words, “Thunder and rain alike are Heaven’s grace.” Confucius himself, when besieged in the state of Chen and deprived of food for seven days, continued to teach the Classics and play the qin, embodying benevolence and righteousness. All suffering endured by humanity may thus be regarded as a test bestowed by Heaven, intended to elevate the moral and spiritual standards of the human heart.

In modern society, however, an increasing number of people are unwilling to confront suffering. Instead, they devote themselves to the pursuit of pleasure rather than the cultivation of the soul. As material abundance expands, the willingness to endure hardship diminishes, and humanity’s spiritual vitality steadily declines. If this mentality remains unchanged, moral and spiritual degeneration will inevitably persist.

What is required, therefore, is a genuine understanding of suffering, rather than its indiscriminate avoidance. Suffering must not remain a mere rhetorical concept; it must be confronted and enacted in practice. At the same time, one must not deliberately seek suffering for its own sake, as such behavior may undermine spiritual integrity. Rather, individuals should cultivate resilience, fortitude, and profound endurance when faced with unavoidable hardship. One must neither fear suffering nor be incapable of bearing it, while maintaining a deep sense of responsibility and mission within the heart. To advance despite difficulty, to find meaning within hardship, and to forge a spirit as steadfast as stone—this is the proper way to fulfill the Way of Heaven. By clarifying one’s life mission and fully comprehending the value of suffering, one may walk the path that truly ought to be followed.