Suffering in the mystical traditions of Buddhism and Christianity

This article seeks to explore the mystical approaches to suffering characteristic of both Buddhism and Christianity. Through the analysis of the meanings, the two traditions in question ascribe to suffering as a 'component' of mystical experience; it challenges the somewhat oversimplified understanding of the dichotomy 'sage-the-robot versus saint-the-sufferer'. Thus it contributes to the ongoing discussion on the theological-spiritual dimensions of the human predicament, as interpreted by various religious traditions. It also illustrates (though only implicitly) in what sense - to use the Kantian distinction - the mystical experience offers boundaries (Schranken) without imposing limits (Grenzen) to interfaith encounter and dialogue.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Urbaniak,Jakub
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2014
Online Access:http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-94222014000100040
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