Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

"Life is struggle" the Buddha.

This is an anecdote well known to Buddhists.

It is a tale about a woman named Kisagotami who was so named because “kisa” means thin; she was a slight woman who married a very rich man. Kisagotami was loved by her husband although his family did not approve of her because she came from a poor background.

She eventually gave birth to a son and this changed her status to the disapproving relatives. She adored the beautiful healthy boy and the child brought her more happiness that she had ever experienced; she was living a sheltered life and knew nothing of real pain and suffering.

One day the little boy fell ill and died suddenly. Grief stricken Kisagotami ran in the street asking for help to restore her son. Someone guided her to the Buddha and she fell at his feet and begged Him to bring her boy back.

The Buddha considered her demand and replied, “I know of a medicine, but I will require certain ingredients. The one thing I need is mustard seed,” and, as Kisagotami ran to the door to begin her hunt for the seed, the Buddha continued, “the mustard seed must come from a home that has not ever experienced the grief brought by death.”

Kisagotami went from house to house and when she returned to the Buddha she was empty handed. She told him that she had been unable to find anyone who had not, at some time, experienced death and suddenly became enlightened and let go of her son’s lifeless body realizing that she was not alone with her grief.

To this the Buddha stated, “Though one should live a hundred years without seeing the Deathless State, yet better indeed is the single day's life if one who sees the Sublime Truth". (Dhammapada V 114).

Kisagotami found comfort when she learned that no one is immune to death and suffering and it is indeed a part of life and she was not isolated in her time of sorrow.

Is there a reason for everything that happens? Why do bad things happen to good people?

In Eastern beliefs Karma and reincarnation are plausible explanations. If we are suffering in this life it may be because of Karma that we are indebted to from a previous life, not necessarily the present one, which to me makes a great deal of sense. It provides a logical explanation as to why there are innocent children who are born suffering terrible illnesses or abuse. Simply put it is a case of reaping now what we have sowed in the past.

Suffering is the foundation of the Buddhist doctrine. The Four Noble Truths reveal that living is anguish and that it is brought on by ourselves. In order to stop the pain we must learn to let go of control and desire and we must surrender. The answer is the Eightfold path, which describes the way to end suffering;

1. Right View
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

Essentially, because our Karma is the result of our choices, the key is to relinquish desire for results and abandon ourselves to the way of the Eightfold, thus avoiding more irresponsible choices that may have led us to our present suffering.

Christians hold the belief that there are no innocent people on this earth and, because of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace we are all born with sin. The only way to avoid spending our eternity in Hell is to accept Jesus in our hearts as He is the one who atoned us by sacrificing Himself to the Cross.

There is the view of Free Will. When God created us he bestowed us with Free Will and this has allowed us to make our own choices without His interference, therefore blaming God for our misfortunes becomes futile as they may well be the result of our own foolish choices.

Another interesting, albeit somewhat dismal opinion is that all the bad nasty stuff which occurs in the world is due to the Devil and the pain in the world is his doing. The thought of the Devil permeating our existence is somewhat disturbing to me. The encouraging thing is by turning to God we can ask for help in order to avoid the Devil’s temptations.

It is human nature to want an explanation for pain and suffering. We need to make sense of tragedies. This is not always possible which is what leaves us in a state of limbo awaiting answers which do seem to be forthcoming.

Being good and righteous does not ensure that bad things will never happen to us and we do not have an answer as to why they do. The important thing to remember is that there is no good and there is no bad, only our perception. Some of life’s greatest lessons and gifts have sometimes been acknowledged during periods of serious illness and grief.

The only action we can take to is look for the good in people and things and when we come across someone who is suffering lend them a hand, let go of results, live our best life, turn to our Creator for help and we can’t go wrong.

I want to sum it all up by including this piece. It is called “The Story of Life” and it by an unknown author.

“Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be, your neighbor, your coworker, a long lost friend, or a complete stranger. When you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Most importantly if you Love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live. That's the story of Life."



"My life has been filled with miseries and failures, most of which have never happened." Mark Twain