Final answer:
Buddhism is not considered pessimistic because it offers a path to overcome suffering via the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. This structured approach leads to enlightenment or nirvana, an escape from the cycle of rebirth and a state of ultimate peace.
Step-by-step explanation:
If life is suffering, why isn't Buddhism a pessimistic faith? Despite acknowledging that suffering or dukkha is a part of existence, Buddhism is not seen as a pessimistic faith because it provides a clear path to overcoming this suffering. The Four Noble Truths articulate this predicament and the solution: 1) acknowledging that life is suffering, 2) recognizing that suffering arises from attachment to desires, 3) understanding that suffering ceases when attachment to desires ceases, and 4) following the Eightfold Path leads to freedom from suffering.
The Eightfold Path, or the Middle Way, is the guide for ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing an individual from attachments and delusions. This leads to enlightenment or nirvana, which is the ultimate liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering, not just a bleak view on life's struggles. Thus, while Buddhism does not deny the existence of suffering, it is fundamentally optimistic in its assurance that suffering can be transcended through personal responsibility, ethical conduct, and spiritual practice.
Buddhism also emphasizes commonality with all living things through suffering, and it presents nonviolence, honesty, selflessness, tolerance, and moral living as the avenues to achieve liberation. With the aim of achieving nirvana and escaping the cycle of rebirth and suffering, Buddhism shows a path forward rather than resigning to despair. This approach empowers individuals and provides a constructive framework for dealing with life's inherent challenges.