why is there suffering in the world?

In Jainism, suffering exists because of karma and the soul’s bondage to karma.

Main Jain view

• The soul is pure, conscious, and full of bliss by nature.
• But due to ignorance, passions, and actions, karmic particles bind to the soul.
• These karmas mature at different times and produce pain, loss, illness, fear, separation, and other forms of suffering.
• So suffering is not sent by a creator God; it is the result of one’s own karmic bondage.

Why do we experience it now?

Because of:

• Past karma coming to fruition
• New karma being attracted by anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, and aversion
• Living beings in the world are all at different stages of karmic maturity

Jain purpose of life

Jainism teaches that suffering can be reduced and finally ended by:

• Ahimsa
• Self-control
• Non-attachment
• Right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct
• Penance and purification

When all karmas are destroyed, the soul attains moksha, where there is no suffering at all.