Dalai Lama's observation
French philosopher Gabriel Marcel once distinguished between "problems" and "mysteries". A problem is something that confronts us from the outside and challenges us to master its complexity. Eventually every problem, such as a broken computer, can be solved with unemotional detachment, objective analysis, sufficient time, and good technology because all such problems are commensurate with the human mind that posed them. Mysteries, on the other hand, are questions of human existence that are so complex and deep that they can never be answered fully and satisfactorily by any one amongst us. Contrary to The Dalai Lama, evil and suffering fall into this latter category. There have been many who through the centuries have incongruously attempted to solve the question of suffering. Buddha's basic idea is that we suffer because we have an illegitimate attachment to existence. If you sever your craving for existence, he thinks, you extinguish your suffering; you reach a certain calm that is the door to nirvana. This is what the Dalai Lama means when he speaks of "inner disarmament". This, of course, sounds attractive especially when you compare the mysterious, serene, man-figure of the Buddha looking inward, to the suffering Christ on the cross. Few will argue with the Dalai Lama's claim that "world peace depends on the inner peace of individuals". Nonetheless, suffering is not a problem to be overcome. In fact for Roman Catholics suffering has a profound and sublime meaning by which it is to be embraced. Christ did not come to abolish suffering but to join in our suffering. He did not come to abolish the cross but to lay down on the cross to save us. On this earth one cannot sever love and suffering. If you love someone you want to suffer with the beloved. Love in the face of sorrow does not seek isolation but wants to take on that pain as its own. This is an expression of authentic love that endorses suffering because the beloved one is suffering. Not to condone war of any kind - the greatest love that exists manifests itself by making the ultimate sacrifice; giving one's life for one's friend - and that is what Christ did for us.
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