Dukkha and Passio: A Christian Theology of Suffering in the (Theravada) Buddhist Context = Dukkha and Passio: A Christian Theology of Suffering in the (Theravada) Buddhist Context

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This essay argues that a key common concern between Buddhist and Christian religions is the issue of suffering. This is because of the prominence of the issue of suffering in both the Buddhist and Christian vision of liberation and-salvation. Consequently, my contention is that a successful missionary encounter in any Buddhist environment requires a lot of careful attention to the meaning of suffering and the means of release from under its power. I will significantly limit the scope of my investigation. From the Buddhist side, I will concentrate not only on the Theravada branch but also on its manifestation in one of the main locations of Theravada in the contemporary world, Thailand. From the Christian side, I will focus on the resources of the Renewal Theology and Missiology through the lens of Pentecostal tradition. While I know well that the Renewal tradition is larger than that of Pentecostalism, I am also convinced that Pentecostal theology and missiology may serve as a representative. During the course of discussion I will further explain the rationale for other limitations, including the omission of the traditional theodicy question and of sociopolitical suffering/liberation. The essay consists of two parts: in the first part, I will attempt to discern the understanding of suffering in each religious tradition. In the second part, I compare and contrast the Buddhist and Christian visions of liberation with a view to proposing theological guidelines for a missionary encounter. I will finish with some tasks and themes for further reflection.