This refers to the four most difficult or bitter experiences in life, often listed as: 生 (birth), 老 (aging), 病 (sickness), 死 (death). Chinese people use this to acknowledge the inherent suffering in human existence.
Rooted in Buddhist philosophy, which heavily influenced Chinese culture, the concept of the four sufferings is a common reflection on the impermanence and difficulty of life.
This saying provides a shared, philosophical framework for understanding and accepting life's most difficult moments. It signals a deep, cultural acknowledgment of human vulnerability and encourages a stoic, accepting attitude toward hardship.
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