also: しゅうく
noun
numerous sufferings; suffering of many people
Archaic Buddhist term referring to the manifold sufferings of sentient beings. Not used in modern everyday Japanese.
仏典には「衆苦」という語がしばしば現れる。
The word 衆苦 often appears in Buddhist scriptures.
From Middle Chinese 衆苦 (tsyuwng khuX), a Buddhist term meaning 'many sufferings'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.