Current Conflicts
1
Terrorism
Dhammapada
– ‘All tremble at
violence, all fear
death. Comparing
oneself with others
one should neither
kill nor cause to kill’
(v.129).
3
– ‘He who has renounced
violence towards all living
beings, weak or strong, who
neither kills nor causes
others to kill—him do I call a
holy man’ (v.405).
– ‘He abused me, he struck
me, he overpowered me, he
robbed me.’ Those who
harbour such thoughts do
not still their hatred (v.3).
Ashoka
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First Rock Inscription at Girnar
4
‘Beloved-of-the-Gods, King
Piyadasi, conquered the Kalingas
eight years after his coronation. One
hundred and fifty thousand were
deported, one hundred thousand
were killed and many more died
(from other causes).’
‘These misfortunes befall all (as a
result of war), and this pains
Beloved-of-the-Gods.’
Rock Edict 13
Nonviolence and Compassion
– ‘I accept the prize with
profound gratitude on behalf
of the oppressed everywhere
and for all those who
struggle for freedom and
work for world peace. I
accept it as a tribute to the
man who founded the
modern tradition of
nonviolent action for change
- Mahatma Gandhi - whose
life taught and inspired me.’
– ‘I believe the prize is a
recognition of the true values
of altruism, love, compassion
and nonviolence which I try
to practise, in accordance
with the teachings of the
Buddha and the great sages
of India and Tibet.’
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1989
5
Japanese Pacifists
Ven. Nichidatsu Fujii, founder of the Nipponzan Myohoji
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7
THE DALAI LAMA
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8
I am honoured to have been invited to address members of the Buddhist community serving
in the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force on the occasion of your annual
conference.
I have always admired those who are prepared to act in the defense of others for their
courage and determination.
Naturally, there are some times when we need to take what on the surface appears to be
harsh or tough action, but if our motivation is good our action is actually nonviolent in
nature.
The teachings of love, kindness and tolerance, the conduct of nonviolence as I have
explained above, and especially the Buddhist theory that all things are relative are a source
of that inner peace.
It is my prayer that all of you may be able to do your duty and fulfill your mission and in due
course when that is done to return to your homes and families.
Extracts from message to the Armed Forces Buddhist Society
16 May, 2009
Buddhist chaplains
9
Recent studies of Buddhism at War
10
Satyakaparivarta
– 2nd CE
– Frequently cited, including by
Nāgārjuna in the
Sūtrasamuccaya
– Allows
– Torture
– Harsh punishment
– War (defensive/offensive?)
– Religious war
– All means of making merit
11
– Incremental escalation
– Protect
– Non-combatants
– Social/economic
infrastructure
Takuan Sōhō Zenji (1573-1645)
‘The uplifted sword has no will
of its own, it is all of emptiness.
It is like a flash of lightning. The
man who is about to be struck
down is also of emptiness, as is
the one who wields the sword
[…] Do not get your mind
stopped with the sword you
raise, forget about what you are
doing, and strike the enemy.’
12
The Yasukuni controversy
– Class A war
criminals enshrined
in 1978
– Visits by Japanese
PM to shrine
– Protests by Chinese
and Koreans
– Dokdo Islands
dispute
13
The Road to WW3?
Tokyo
– Patriot missiles
14
East China Sea
– Senkaku Islands