Buddhism, Peace And Conflict Flashcards
Purpose of Buddhism
The purpose of Buddhism is to bring about an end to suffering. As any form of violence causes suffering then it must be wrong. Most Buddhists are therefore pacifist.
5 moral precepts
The first of the 5 Moral Precepts is ‘I abstain from taking life’, so killing is clearly wrong. It is an unskilful action that will bring bad kamma.
Metta
Metta is loving kindness for all creatures – including your worst enemies. Buddhists practise this through a loving kindness meditation where you visualise happiness first for yourself, then friend, then a neutral person, then an enemy. This means that you can face whatever your enemy throws at you with equanimity (calmness).
Eightfold Path
Two steps on the Eightfold Path are Right Livelihood and Right Action. A Buddhist would not take a job in the Arms Industry, developing a selling weapons, because this would cause suffering. Their ‘right actions’ are to remain calm, to control feelings of hate and aggression, and to relieve suffering by helping victims of violence such as the wounded, bereaved or refugees.
Karuna
Karuna is compassion. Buddhists will therefore choose to help victims of war.
Thich Nhat Hahn
Thich Nhat Hahn became a Buddhist monk at the age of 16. During the Vietnam War he helped villagers who had been bombed out of their homes. He opposed the Government’s policies and was eventually exiled from Vietnam and settled in France. He is a pioneer of engaged Buddhism which argues that if Buddhists are to achieve true inner peace they must work on changing the structures of society that influence people’s mental states and behaviour. He combines traditional meditation with non-violent protest, emphasising how meditation can help dissolve anger. On one occasion he was organising the rescue of hundreds of Vietnamese refugees using boats from Singapore. When the police found out his plan they ordered him out of the country and would not let the boats leave. He said ‘what could we do ? We had to breathe deeply and consciously. Otherwise we might panic, or fight with the police, or do something to express our anger.’
Parable of the Saw
In the Parable of the Saw, Buddha tells his followers: suppose bandits were going to tear you limb from limb with a monstrous saw. . ‘our minds will remain unaffected, and we shall utter no evil words; we shall abide compassionate for their welfare, with a mind of loving kindness, without inner hate’.
The Tzu Chi Project
The Tzu Chi Project helps victims of war. For example they have set up a clinic in Istanbul for Syrian refugees. They also distribute food and other basic necessities. One way Buddhist help victims of war is by giving them psychological and spiritual help. They might have experienced psychological trauma which means that they now feel anger and bitterness. Buddhism teaches that these feelings are self destructive. Cultivating compassion for their aggressors helps victims of war overcome their past.
Dalai Lama
Some Buddhists argue that violence is acceptable in self defence. The Dalai Lama was asked about the possibility of someone entering a school with a gun – would he retaliate ? He replied ‘is someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.’
Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh was asked what he would do if he were the last monk in the world and someone were about to kill him and thus wipe out Buddhism. He answered that it would be better to let himself be killed than betray his Buddhist Principles.
