You asked :
How many people actually think that Jesus' action plan [resisteth not evil] could actually work.
Many would agree with Him on this point for the following reasons -
The Bodhicaryavatara Chapter VI: The Perfection of Patience
41. Disregarding the principle of cause, such as a stick and the like, if I become angry with the one who impels it, then it is better if I hate hatred, because that person is also impelled by hatred.
42. In the past, I too have inflicted such pain on sentient beings; therefore, I, who have caused harm to sentient beings, deserve that in return.
43. Both his weapon and my body are causes of suffering. He has obtained a weapon, and I have obtained a body. With what should I be angry?
44. Blinded by craving, I have obtained this [bag of filth] that appears as a human body, which cannot bear to be touched. When there is pain, with whom should one be angry?
45. I do not desire suffering; yet, fool that I am, I desire the cause of suffering. When suffering emerges due to my own fault, why should I be angry with anyone else?
46. Just as the forest of razor leaves and the birds of hell are brought into existence by my actions, so is this. With whom should I be angry?
47. Those who hurt me are impelled by my actions, as a result of which they will go to the infernal realms. Surely, it is I alone who have ruined them.
48. On account of them, many vices of mine diminish through forbearance. On account of me, they enter infernal realms with long lasting agonies.
49. It is I alone who harm them, and they are my benefactors. O Wicked mind, why do you misconstrue this and become angry?
50. If there is virtue in my intention, I will not enter the infernal realms. If I protect myself, what will happen to them here?
51. If I were to retaliate, they would not be protected and my conduct would be impaired. Because of that, those in anguish would be lost.
52. Because of its immateriality, the mind can never be harmed by anyone. However, due to its attachment to the body, the mind is tormented by suffering.
53. Neither contempt, abusive speech, nor disgrace harms the body. Why then, mind, O mind, do you become angry?
54. Will the unkindness of others toward me devour me in this life or another, that I am so adverse to it?
55. If I am adverse to it because it hinders my material gain, my acquisitions will vanish in this life, but my sin will surely remain.
56. It is better that I die today, than have a long, corrupt life. For even after living a long time, I shall have the suffering of death.
57. One person wakes up after enjoying a hundred years of pleasure in sleep, and another person wakes up after being happy for a moment.
58. Does happiness return to either once they have awakened? It is the same at the moment of death for one who lives a long time and for one who lives a short time.
59. Even though I have acquired many possessions and have enjoyed pleasures for a long time, I shall depart empty handed and naked as if I had been robbed.
Source : shantiDeva.net
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