suffering

Physical or mental pain, interpreted in different ways in different faiths. In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, suffering arises as a direct result of the actions (karma) of this or a previous life. In Chinese religion it arises from an imbalance in yin and yang, the forces of the universe. For Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, there is a problem of how to relate a good, loving God with the seemingly inevitable suffering in the world. In Christianity and Judaism the world is seen as having been created good, but becoming subject to suffering by humanity's disobedience. Both look forward to an age when suffering will no longer exist. Islam sees suffering as a test sent by God.