There is a certain element of truth in this portion of Buddhist doctrine, because far too often those caught in negative circumstances allow themselves to feel overwhelmed. Far too often they are crushed and even paralyzed emotionally by their sorrow. Sometimes, non-attachment does allow a person to objectively and calmly view his situation, so that a rational answer can be reached. However, non-attachment can also produce non-involvement in situations that plead for action. So achieving a place of non-suffering may not necessarily be the complete answer. A concise, biblical response to these two issues is as follows:

The correct view of "desire"—First, let it be said that legitimate desires are not wrong and should not be purged from our thinking. There is a difference between selfish desire, which ends in death, and godly desire, which ends in life. (See James 1:13–15.) The Bible states that God ‘desires’ his people to show mercy. During a time of intercession, the Lord Jesus prayed over his people saying, "Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am." If it is not wrong for the Lord himself to have righteous desires, it is certainly not wrong for us to have righteous desires. The Scripture does reveal that God "casts away the desire of the wicked," but it promises "the desire of the righteous will be granted." (Proverbs 10:3, 24) The Most High even assures his covenant people, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) Such righteous desires would logically include the meeting of natural and material needs as well as spiritual. However, if and when these things do not happen the way we desire, the Scripture cautions us "to be content." (Philippians 4:11) Our highest desire is God himself and when other desires are not realized, we maintain rest in our relationship with him. Inordinate desire is synonymous with lust, a very destructive agent in the human makeup. But holy desire is a motivation that we all definitely need.

The correct view of "suffering"—The goal for a Christian is not to fully escape ALL suffering, just certain kinds. There are numerous categories of suffering that we are encouraged to avoid, conquer or rise above. These types of suffering are primarily the result of internal causes. These usually involve wrong thinking patterns that produce wrong behavior—sensuality, sinful cravings, negative emotions, inward temptations, guilt, resisting God’s will, and a number of other negatives. We avoid, conquer or rise above these sources of suffering two ways. First, we maintain a commitment to do all things right. (Actually, Buddha’s Eightfold Path itemizes each area we need to deal with quite well.) Second and most importantly, we draw from the grace, mercy, forgiveness and strength promised by the personal and loving God we serve (something Buddha did not teach). Our God cleanses us. He forgives us. He empowers us. He fills us with his presence and goodness. As David said, our "help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2) This divine aid insures our winning all the more.

There are some causes of suffering that are primarily external and inevitably to be faced in life. These include trials, tribulations, outward sources of temptation, demonic influences and mistreatment by others. Even Jesus, the perfect Son of God, "suffered being tempted." (Hebrews 2:18) So if we also "suffer being tempted" it is certainly not a sign of spiritual immaturity. However, in all these situations we are en-couraged to react with positive attitudes like: a willingness to endure, a heart that rejoices and a spirit of trust in God. We overcome the negative with the positive. At times, the negative may still be there, but we rise above it.

Finally, there is a category of suffering that God actually urges his people to embrace. Jesus declared that a true disciple must take up his cross daily and follow him. A cross is a complete death to self for the sake of helping others. This involves, not passive detachment from a hurting world, but active involvement in sharing its burden and meeting its needs. Such sacrificial service is certainly not an easy road to travel. Sometimes compassion’s grip can be quite painful, but it is necessary. Paul zealously laid hold to this challenge, explaining that one of his deepest desires was to know Christ "in the fellowship of his sufferings." He also kindly forewarned true disciples that it is given to us "in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake." (Philippians 1:29; 3:10) We can be certain, though, that release from all suffering will take place as soon as we are set free from these physical bodies. We will then consciously experience "unspeakable joy" in heavenly places. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Yes, this will be especially true when our souls are finally released into the eternal state.

I believe that both Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Thich Nhat Hanh were completely sincere in their assessment of the nature of Jesus’ death. I believe their words were motivated by kindness and sensitivity to the pain of another. However, my response to their view is this: that the final focus of a Christian’s heart is not on the cross, but on the empty tomb. If it were not for the great victory of the latter, the great misery of the former would agreeably be too "painful" to gaze upon. Nevertheless, Jesus "endured the cross," "for the joy that was set before him." (Hebrews 12:2) Thankfully, his followers are blessed to also share in this joy even during this earthly sojourn.

Jesus’ own testimony counters this argument. The Son of God often prophesied the certainty of, and reason for, his soon-to-come death on a cross. He assured, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day." Notice the word must. This was an unavoidable event. It had to happen. Jesus continued exhorting his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:22–23) So Jesus knew in advance exactly what kind of death he would die. His early demise was not a terrible mistake, or backlash from an unwise method of presenting his message. It was simply his destiny, the cup the Father gave him to drink. (See Matthew 26:39.) Jesus even claimed that no man took his life from him; he gave it up willingly. (See John 10:18.) Irrefutably, it was according to "the definite plan and foreknowledge of God"—the plan for man’s redemption. (Acts 2:23, See Luke 24:13–32) No wonder the Bible refers to Jesus as the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8)