The distinction between pain and suffering is central to Buddhist teachings, according to BJ Miller, a palliative care doctor and pain specialist. Buddhism, which approximately 4.1% of the global population and 17% of adult South Koreans adhere to, teaches that suffering and desire are integral to the human condition. However, it also offers a path to liberation through acceptance and awareness of the impermanence of suffering. Jeong Yeo, a 50-year-old Buddhist monk and Grand Patriarch of the South Korean Beomeosa Temple since 2023, explains that in Buddhism, suffering is not to be avoided or eliminated but rather seen as it truly is. He describes how he learned this during a personal experience when he injured his head while working in a temple. By shifting his attention from the pain to his mind, he discovered a part of himself that was not affected by the suffering. Buddhist practices, such as meditation, prostration, and contemplation, are used to help individuals accept pain and suffering. BJ Miller, who took actor Chris Hemsworth to the Beomeosa Temple for meditative practices, compares pain to an unwelcome guest that one can learn to coexist with. Scientific research has shown that Buddhist practices, particularly meditation, can have measurable effects on pain relief. A 2014 study found that participants who followed a guided meditation based on the Buddhist concept of "loving-kindness" experienced a 33% reduction in migraine-related pain and a 3% decrease in tension. Other studies have suggested that meditation can lead to structural and functional changes in brain networks, potentially reducing pain sensitivity. According to Jeong Yeo, becoming a friend of one's mind or even of pain can help end suffering. He advises starting with simple practices such as focusing on breathing during daily activities or observing emotions without judgment. He emphasizes that these practices are accessible to everyone and can be integrated into daily life.