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QUESTION:
I recently read a statement by an Orthodox author that said, "The goal of Christianity is radically different than the goal of Buddhism, Hinduism, etc." The goal of Buddhism is the relief of human suffering. The Buddha Dharma, or Buddhist teaching, begins with human suffering and ends with human suffering. Literally so. It is that simple. It is my observation that if Christianity, specifically Orthodox Christianity, does not hold the relief of human suffering as at least part of its goal, then we are missing the point. I look forward to your response.
ANSWER:
YOU WRITE: I recently read a statement by an Orthodox author that said, "The goal of Christianity is radically different than the goal of Buddhism, Hinduism, etc." The goal of Buddhism is the relief of human suffering. The Buddha Dharma, or Buddhist teaching, begins with human suffering and ends with human suffering. Literally so. It is that simple. It is my observation that if Christianity, specifically Orthodox Christianity, does not hold the relief of human suffering as at least part of its goal, then we are missing the point. I look forward to your response.
RESPONSE: The goal of Our Lord's earthly ministry is the salvation of the world. Jesus Christ is "truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who came into the world to save sinners." While He was indeed concerned with human suffering, His ministry -- and that of the Church today, which continues His ministry -- was not limited to the relief of human suffering.
You note that "Buddhist teaching begins with human suffering and ends with human suffering." During His earthly ministry, Our Lord ministered to the suffering, but his ministry was certainly not limited to this, nor did it find its end in human suffering. It ends precisely with the restoration of all that had been corrupted, fallen, distorted, and disfigured, including the human condition, in Him, in His Kingdom, in His becoming "all in all." His ministry was one of proclamation and revelation, rather than mere alleviation.
YOU WRITE: It is my observation that if Christianity, specifically Orthodox Christianity, does not hold the relief of human suffering as at least part of its goal, then we are missing the point.
RESPONSE: I am not sure what leads you to observe that Orthodox Christianity does not pursue the relief of human suffering. Orthodox Christianity does not address human suffering simply out of sympathy, or out of humanitarian concern, or out of pity. It addresses it in response to the image of God that is found in "the least of the brethren," in recognition of that image, and in response to that image. Ultimately, we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, and minister to the sick and imprisoned not just for the sake of the hungry, naked, thirsty, sick, and imprisoned, but for the sake of Jesus Christ and for the sake of the Gospel. Such ministry is a proclamation and revelation of the Gospel, of the presence of God in the midst of human suffering, as a means of moving the suffering beyond their own condition and focusing them on the Good News that there is more to life than food and clothing and sickness and distress.
If Orthodox Christianity does not address human suffering, then why would we celebrate and offer hope through the sacrament of Holy Unction? Why would we anoint and pray for and visit and comfort the sick and infirm? Why would be struggle to continue Christ's three-fold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing?
Many of our parishes distribute food to the needy or operate "soup kitchens" or volunteer at homeless shelters or assist with offering encouragement to unwed mothers or counsel overwhelmed new immigrants in settling in to new surroundings. In pursuing such ministries, they are not simply relieving suffering but, more importantly, doing so in the process of proclaiming and revealing the love of God to those who could easily grow hopeless.
Hence, while it is true that the goal of the Savior's work is not simply to relieve suffering -- He Himself tells us that we will have the poor [humans who suffer] with us always -- it is not the case that addressing suffering is not a part of the Gospel or an expectation in the life of God's people, who are called to minister and serve "the least of the brethren." Meanwhile, the goal of Christianity is salvation and the enjoyment of eternal life in the Kingdom of God where, as we sing in the Burial Service, "there is neither sickness, sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting."
This is radically different than the goal of Buddhism.
Published in January 2011.
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