FREE ESSAY ON HUMAN SUFFERING

HUMAN SUFFERING

Human suffering happens every day, everywhere, in many types and ways all around us. We do
not always see it, but that does not mean it does not exist. When we do see it exist we
commonly ask ourselves, Does human suffering have meaning? I can answer this question
easily. Yes, it does have meaning. I can answer this because of the four readings we
read. However, as I examine this question deeper I see that the four readings have
different ideas on meaning or the reason for suffering. Looking at the definition of the
verb (to) suffer, feel or undergo pain; sustain damage or loss, we see that suffering is
something that can happen because of more than one action. Each of the readings explained
a different way of suffering. In their basics, some described mental suffering and others
described physical suffering. But, more deeply than that each reading contains a certain
kind of suffering. The Epic of Gilgamesh describes that suffering is caused by death. The
Book of Job describes how suffering is caused by sickness, loss of possessions, or loved
ones. Buddhist explains suffering caused by our mental anguish. Night describes suffering
caused by others. These readings give us meaning to suffering so that in the future we
can avoid suffering, and if we can not avoid it we can at least explain it. 
The Epic of Gilgamesh tells us that suffering happens because of love. Gilgamesh suffered
only because he loved Enkidu. After Enkidu was killed by the serpent Gilgamesh suffered
tremendously. This was an example mental suffering. Gilgamesh did not bring on Enkidu's
death. It was his desire for Enkidu to die. It just happened fighting the serpent. He
deeply mourned his brother's death. This drove him to find that special root to make him
immortal. Although this was just a story, in its day it was thought to be a book of
teachings. Suffering was a direct result of death and love, but it was suffering that
drove Gilgamesh on. It ended up making him stronger. Suffering is not a good thing, but
you do get past it and you can learn from it.
We see this in The Book of Job too. To Job, suffering happens as a result of God testing
us. A Satan questioned the followings of God's people. This led to God testing his best
subject, Job. God made Job suffer in the worst way any human being could. This would be
physical suffering and mental suffering. When God took away Job's family and possessions,
he suffered mentally. All of his possessions and loved ones were gone without a reason
known to him. It was physical suffering when he was struck with sores about his body.
This also gives reason to suffering that happens when you can't explain it. Even a person
who thinks that they are perfect can suffer. You could be just like Job, almost a perfect
worshiper. That would be even more the reason for you to be tested. The Book of Job is
one of the teachings of the Bible, a spiritual and religious guide. A person reading this
would believe that suffering is a test. It is a test of your faith, your faith in God.
Therefore, if we were suffering, as long as we keep faith, the suffering will end. As
long as we keep faith the suffering will stop, and better things will happen and develop.

The Buddhists have other reasons for why we suffer mentally. They believe that the cause
of suffering is desire and craving. Buddhists say, Ignorance is manifested in greed that
fills the human mind. Greed, being something that causes desire and craving, is a cause
of human suffering. It is our want for something that we can not obtain that makes us
suffer. When we were children we whined, threw fits, cried, got angry, and more just
because we could not have something. Most of the time it was something that we did not
need. In turn, we suffered. Even as we are older, although they may be a little more
involved, such things still happen. These grown-up versions of the childish games are our
desires and cravings. However, according to the Buddhists, we can overcome them. To
overcome them we must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. It consists of Right View, Right
Thought, Right Speech, Right Behavior, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness,
and Right Concentration. The way of life which is free from all worldly passion and
suffering can only be known through Enlightenment, and Enlightenment can only be attained
though the discipline of the Noble Eightfold Path. 
The book Night gave us an example of physical suffering. As a whole the Jews, in the
views of the Buddhists, did not desire or crave anything. They did not suffer because of
something that they did. They suffered because the Nazis thought that Jews and the
religion was inferior. The Holocaust was a result of the Nazi's belief. Nazis made the
Jews suffer physically by trying to eradicate them and putting them in concentration
camps. The Jews were put through tremendous hardships, suffering greatly. They suffered
as a community and as individuals. 
Yes, suffering does have meaning. It happens because of certain, different reasons.
Losing a loved one, someone who you were close too, can send you into a state of
depression. A loved one is a person who was apart of you. When they go, you start to
wonder when you will go. You suffer mentally. God could potentially test even his best
followers. This would explain the unexplained suffering. If our mind is not on the right
path we could cause ourselves mental anguish. We would suffer mentally because of our
desire and cravings. Even if you make it past all that, you could suffer physically by
the hands of others. Some sick and demented person could find a reason and the force to
persecute you. No madder how it happens it is still suffering. It can be avoided in one
case, but then come back at you, unavoidable, and hit you the same when you don't expect
it. Any one of us could feel or undergo pain, or sustain damage or loss.