Suffering is an important theme in Buddhism, so when Sam takes on the guise of the Buddha in Lord of Light, his message naturally revolves around the idea of suffering as well. As a result, suffering kind of ties all the other themes we've mentioned together as the novel considers suffering through society, through religion, through warfare, and through life itself. Sam's message might not be able to end suffering like the Buddha's, but it does seem to lessen suffering by the novel's end. And that's something to consider in its own right.
Questions About Suffering
- In what ways do you think characters suffer most in the novel? Connect this aspect of suffering with another theme. How do these two themes compare, and what insights can be derived about either in the comparison?
- What character do you think suffers the most in the novel? What character suffers the least? Comparing these characters, what do their experiences suggest about this theme in the novel? (Remember: Consider the many different ways one can suffer when answering this one.)
- What do you think of Sam's solution to ending suffering? Do you think his path is the right path? Why or why not?