To answer this question we must first know what is the meaning of the word God or what is put behind the word God.
God is the translation of the word “I am” in Hebrew.
Other religions will have other definitions for God and I leave it to them to answer this question in their own way.
According to my belief, it is consciousness that creates the universe. God is inside each of us. It would therefore be man who creates his own suffering since God is inside each of us.
Today we have all the knowledge to bring basic necessities to the entire population. But man is not a wise animal, he does not understand the origin of his desires, he does not know why he wants what he wants. In his frantic quest for more material goods, he favors his own needs over the happiness of his close neighbors.
Our own consciousness created us with free will. We don't always use this free will wisely and that is why there is so much suffering in the world.
The Four Noble Truths are a fundamental teaching of Buddhism.
The first of the four noble truths and the recognition of the omnipresence of suffering: "birth is suffering, life is suffering, death is suffering"
The second noble truth informs us that there is a path to liberation from suffering. It's good news !
The third noble truth tells us that the path to liberation from suffering is through the practice of meditation. This practice of meditation will allow us to better understand who we are, how our thoughts are created in our mind and how our desires lead us to carry out actions that generate suffering.
The Fourth Noble Truth explains to us that when we have realized who we really are, when we have understood the illusion of most of our desires, and when we have found serenity within us, without waiting for our happiness to be within us. provided by external relationships or situations, then we can put an end to our suffering.
Currently many children suffer from hunger and thirst in Madagascar and other African countries. It is of course useless to offer them the practice of meditation to meet their needs. On the other hand, if we were more benevolent, we could help them by providing them with water and food. The practice of meditation develops compassion. We are still sorely lacking in the compassion for preferring to send rockets into space, transplant pig hearts or drive big cars rather than feed malnourished children.
Another recurring source of suffering comes from clashes between extremists of different religions. While Christ taught to love one another, religious extremists have been killing each other in Jerusalem for centuries.
Regardless of our religion, the way thoughts are created in our mind is the same. Our need for connection with the source, God, is the same. Maybe understanding how we operate will help us end religious wars?
But the wars of religion have their backs, very often the elites in power manipulate the masses to make them believe that economic inequalities are wars of religion. Here again, the practice of meditation enlightens us on the motivations of each one.
May I say a few words about the suffering caused by the disease? Here again, a better knowledge of our functioning allows us in many cases to reduce this suffering. For example, we do not add the suffering of the fear of suffering or by taking better care of our body, the terrestrial vehicle of our spirit. Material nourishment has probably as important a role in our well-being as spiritual nourishment and can in many cases replace medication.
We have seen briefly how the teachings of Buddhism can help us to fight against the main sources of suffering. “I have shown you the way, whether you follow it or not does not depend on me” with these words, the Buddha returns to the importance of the free will of each one.
Have a nice day!
Illustrations:
Mountain picture from @chrisaiki
Blue Buddha from https://numeralpaint.com/products/landscape-fantastic-blue-buddha-mountains-paint-by-numbers/
The questiion "where comes the evil from?" is one of the complexest questions at all. It has uncountable answers.
I have written a book about it.
And the more important question is, how we cane ease the pain.
There are also uncountable answers.
Very good points indeed! Thank you so much bringing forth these very complex questions as well as they form quite a lengthy discussion each on their own. Creating more than you destroy is one of the ways in which one can ease the pain, I am certain (as it appears on your motto). All the best, much health, have a great evening, and namaste! :)
Thank you!
You're most welcome! Have a great day! :)
Evil, like God, is just a word. Then it depends what you put behind, and this is varying from culture and epochs, so after few centuries you have many answers.
Very beautiful words and I really liked how well the concept of compassion is highlighted in your analysis. Also, at the same time, I would like to stress the importance of empathy, which is approximately the same as compassion, but differs from it, in my humble opinion, in that it can be expressed in far more many ways. All the best, much health, wisdom, joy, and have a great evening as well! Namaste! :)