I am a ‘retired Catholic’ and I can speak for Rinzai Zen, of which I have been a follower and practitioner, for the past 40 years. I became interested in Zen, as it was an adjunct to my study of Aikido in Hawaii and Japan. In my experience, it is not “resignation’, but a practice that focuses one inward and seeks to clarify the way one leads his life. And, on suffering, I don’t know what you mean...physical suffering from illness or the suffering that is part of the human condition? As part of the human condition, suffering (in the Buddhist sense) comes from craving. Never being satisfied and grasping at things, of which, you think will make your life better. To end suffering (in the Buddhist sense) you follow the Eightfold Path. Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. Most of us do not believe in God or live life, so that we may live in heaven for eternity, but concentrate on what is in front of us everyday..this life.
What is the ultimate goal of the 8-fold path?