Suffering: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Suffering means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Suffering (due to cold, old age, etc.) is associated with Vidhuta: one of the “seven movements of the head” (in Sanskrit Dramas), as conveyed through Āṅgikābhinaya: one of the four divisions of Abhinaya or “ways to convey or represent one’s emotion to others”, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra and the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—The āṅgikābhinaya includes the histrionic representation of the limbs which is simply known as physical gestures. In the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, seven types of movements of the head are recorded. The Vidhuta movement expresses suffering by cold or old age or because of the consumption of liquor.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Suffering refers to the central concept of the “Four Noble Truths” (having Sixteen Aspects) which are known in Tibetan as 'phags pa'i bden bzhi.—The Four Noble Truths are are: (1) there is suffering, (2) there is an origin of suffering, (3) there is a cessation of suffering, and (4) there is a path to the cessation of suffering.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
India history and geography
1) Suffering (of the world) was investigated by those pursuing the spiritual life in the Hermitages (or Ashrams) of ancient India, as vividly depicted in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 87.20-28: Here is a vivid description of the intellectual and spiritual life in the Aśrama of a Jaina Muni. Uddyotanasūri gives a list of twenty-one methods of study and discussions and approaches to the tenets of religion and philosophy, [e.g., speaking against the suffering of the world] [...]. Also see the description of the hermitage of Divākara Mitra described by Bāṇa in the Harṣacarita.
2) Suffering (from many kinds of diseases, etc) represents a scene of human life commonly depicted on the Saṃsāracakra paintings in ancient India, according to the Kuvalayamālā.—Page 185.21 f.: Here follows a description of a printed scroll illustrating the Jaina conception of saṃsāracakra. [...] The saṃsāra-cakra illustrated the three worlds of hell, human world and the world of gods. [For example:] People suffering from many kinds of diseases like fever, pain and burning, and lying on their cots and meeting their deaths, to gather their mourning servants, wives and friends
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: The, The, Suffering, Te.
Full-text (+4943): Duhkha, Four noble truths, Dukkha, Anukampa, Karuna, Wu ku, Pitha, Zhong ku, Siku, Himelu, Devagraha, Samtapa, Ushnalu, Saruja, Yu ku, Kayaklesha, Khinna, Gatalakshmika, Shapagrasta, Dukkhavedanapavisa.
Relevant text
Search found 622 books and stories containing Suffering, Sufferings, The sufferings; (plurals include: Sufferings, Sufferingses, The sufferingses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
3f) The explanation of the suffering of the gods (devas) < [Part 3 - The main divisions]
Part 3 - Meditation on Compassion < [G. How to meditate]
Part 1 - The brief teaching of suffering < [A. The general explanation of the nature of suffering]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 2 - Enduring outer and inner sufferings and the afflictions < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]
The Śalyatvena-sūtra (Sallattena-sutta) < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
II. Degrees of Loving-kindness and Compassion < [Chapter XLII - The Great Loving-kindness and the Great Compassion of the Buddhas]
Karandavyuha Sutra (by Mithun Howladar)
Chapter 2 - Romavivaraṇā-varṇana < [Part Two]
Chapter 8 - Vaineya-dharma-upadeśa < [Part One]
Part 7 - Baudha-dharma < [Appendix 2 - Buddhist Philosophy]
The Buddha and His Teachings (by Narada Thera)
Chapter XVII - The Four Noble Truths
Chapter XLIII - Eight Worldly Conditions (Aṭhalokadhammā)
An Incarnational Pneumatology Based on Romans 8.18-30 < [Volume 13, Issue 3 (2022)]
Prophetic Subjectivity in Later Levinas: Sobering up from One’s Own Identity < [Volume 10, Issue 1 (2019)]
Toward Buddhist Womanism: Tonglen Practice in The Color Purple < [Volume 13, Issue 7 (2022)]
Fundamentals of Vipassana Meditation (by Venerable Mahāsi Sayādaw)
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