Difference between revisions of "Can a Buddhist Join the Army?"
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You can be a soldier of [[Truth]], but not the aggressor. | You can be a soldier of [[Truth]], but not the aggressor. | ||
| − | One day, Sinha, the general of the {{Wiki|army}}, went to the [[Buddha]] and said, ‘I am a soldier, O [[Blessed One]]. I am appointed by the [[King]] to enforce his laws and to wage his wars. The [[Buddha]] teaches [[infinite]] [[love]], [[kindness]] and [[compassion]] for all sufferers: Does the [[Buddha]] permit the punishment of the criminal? And also, does the [[Buddha]] declare that it is wrong to go to [[war]] for the protection of our homes, our wives, our children and our property? Does the [[Buddha]] teach the [[doctrine]] of complete self-surrender? Should I [[suffer]] the evil-doer to do with what he pleases and yield submissively to him who threatens to take by violence what is my own? Does the [[Buddha]] maintain that all strife including warfare waged for a righteous [[cause]] should be forbidden?’ | + | One day, [[Sinha]], the general of the {{Wiki|army}}, went to the [[Buddha]] and said, ‘I am a soldier, O [[Blessed One]]. I am appointed by the [[King]] to enforce his laws and to wage his [[wars]]. The [[Buddha]] teaches [[infinite]] [[love]], [[kindness]] and [[compassion]] for all sufferers: Does the [[Buddha]] permit the {{Wiki|punishment}} of the criminal? And also, does the [[Buddha]] declare that it is wrong to go to [[war]] for the [[protection]] of our homes, our wives, our children and our property? Does the [[Buddha]] teach the [[doctrine]] of complete [[self-surrender]]? Should I [[suffer]] the evil-doer to do with what he pleases and yield submissively to him who threatens to take by [[violence]] what is my [[own]]? Does the [[Buddha]] maintain that all strife including warfare waged for a righteous [[cause]] should be forbidden?’ |
| − | The [[Buddha]] replied, ‘He who deserves punishment must be punished. And he who is [[worthy]] of favour must be favoured. Do not do injury to any [[living being]] but be just, filled with [[love]] and [[kindness]]’. These injunctions are not contradictory because the [[person]] who is punished for his crimes will [[suffer]] his injury not through the [[ill-will]] of the judge but through the [[evil]] act itself. His own acts have brought upon him the injury that the executors of the law inflict. When a magistrate punishes, he must not harbour [[hatred]] in his [[heart]]. When a murderer is put to [[death]], he should realise that his punishment is the result of his own act. With his understanding, he will no longer [[lament]] his [[fate]] but can console his [[mind]]. And the [[Blessed One]] continued, ‘The [[Buddha]] teaches that all warfare in which man tries to slay his brothers is lamentable. But he does not teach that those who are involved in [[war]] to maintain [[peace]] and [[order]], after having exhausted all means to avoid conflict, are blameworthy’. | + | The [[Buddha]] replied, ‘He who deserves {{Wiki|punishment}} must be punished. And he who is [[worthy]] of favour must be favoured. Do not do injury to any [[living being]] but be just, filled with [[love]] and [[kindness]]’. These injunctions are not [[contradictory]] because the [[person]] who is punished for his crimes will [[suffer]] his injury not through the [[ill-will]] of the [[judge]] but through the [[evil]] act itself. His [[own]] acts have brought upon him the injury that the executors of the law inflict. When a magistrate punishes, he must not harbour [[hatred]] in his [[heart]]. When a murderer is put to [[death]], he should realise that his {{Wiki|punishment}} is the result of his [[own]] act. With his [[understanding]], he will no longer [[lament]] his [[fate]] but can console his [[mind]]. And the [[Blessed One]] continued, ‘The [[Buddha]] teaches that all warfare in which man tries to slay his brothers is lamentable. But he does not teach that those who are involved in [[war]] to maintain [[peace]] and [[order]], after having exhausted all means to avoid conflict, are blameworthy’. |
| − | ‘Struggle must [[exist]], for all [[life]] is a struggle of some kind. But make certain that you do not struggle in the interest of [[self]] against [[truth]] and justice. He who struggles out of self-interest to make himself great or powerful or rich or famous, will have no reward. But he who struggles for [[peace]] and [[truth]] will have great reward; even his defeat will be deemed a victory. | + | ‘Struggle must [[exist]], for all [[life]] is a struggle of some kind. But make certain that you do not struggle in the [[interest]] of [[self]] against [[truth]] and justice. He who struggles out of self-interest to make himself great or powerful or rich or famous, will have no reward. But he who struggles for [[peace]] and [[truth]] will have great reward; even his defeat will be deemed a victory. |
| − | ‘If a [[person]] goes to battle even for a righteous [[cause]], then Sinha, he must be prepared to be slain by his enemies because [[death]] is the [[destiny]] of warriors. And should his [[fate]] overtake him, he has no [[reason]] to complain. But if he is victorious his success may be deemed great, but no matter how great it is, the [[wheel]] of [[fortune]] may turn again and bring his [[life]] down into the dust. However, if he moderates himself and extinguishes all [[hatred]] in his [[heart]], if he lifts his down-trodden adversary up and says to him, ‘Come now and make [[peace]] and let us be brothers’, then he will gain a victory that is not a transient success; for the [[fruits]] of that victory will remain forever. | + | ‘If a [[person]] goes to {{Wiki|battle}} even for a righteous [[cause]], then [[Sinha]], he must be prepared to be slain by his enemies because [[death]] is the [[destiny]] of [[warriors]]. And should his [[fate]] overtake him, he has no [[reason]] to complain. But if he is victorious his [[success]] may be deemed great, but no {{Wiki|matter}} how great it is, the [[wheel]] of [[fortune]] may turn again and bring his [[life]] down into the dust. However, if he moderates himself and extinguishes all [[hatred]] in his [[heart]], if he lifts his down-trodden adversary up and says to him, ‘Come now and make [[peace]] and let us be brothers’, then he will gain a victory that is not a transient [[success]]; for the [[fruits]] of that victory will remain forever. |
| − | ‘Great is a successful general, but he who conquers [[self]] is the greater victor. This [[teaching]] of conquest of [[self]], Sinha, is not taught to destroy the [[lives]] of others, but to protect them. The [[person]] who has conquered himself is more fit to [[live]], to be successful and to gain victories than is the [[person]] who is the slave of [[self]]. The [[person]] whose [[mind]] is free from the [[illusion]] of [[self]], will stand and not fall in the battle of [[life]]. He whose intentions are [[righteousness]] and justice, will meet with no failure. He will be successful in his enterprise and his success will endure. He who harbours [[love]] of [[truth]] in his [[heart]] will [[live]] and not [[suffer]], for he has drunk the [[water]] of [[immortality]]. So struggle courageously and wisely. Then you can be a soldier of [[Truth]]’. | + | ‘Great is a successful general, but he who conquers [[self]] is the greater victor. This [[teaching]] of conquest of [[self]], [[Sinha]], is not [[taught]] to destroy the [[lives]] of others, but to {{Wiki|protect}} them. The [[person]] who has conquered himself is more fit to [[live]], to be successful and to gain victories than is the [[person]] who is the slave of [[self]]. The [[person]] whose [[mind]] is free from the [[illusion]] of [[self]], will stand and not fall in the {{Wiki|battle}} of [[life]]. He whose {{Wiki|intentions}} are [[righteousness]] and justice, will meet with no failure. He will be successful in his enterprise and his [[success]] will endure. He who harbours [[love]] of [[truth]] in his [[heart]] will [[live]] and not [[suffer]], for he has drunk the [[water]] of [[immortality]]. So struggle courageously and wisely. Then you can be a soldier of [[Truth]]’. |
| − | There is no justice in [[war]] or violence. When we declare [[war]], we justify it, when others declare [[war]], we say, it is unjust. Then who can justify [[war]]? Man should not follow the law of the jungle to overcome [[human]] problems. | + | There is no justice in [[war]] or [[violence]]. When we declare [[war]], we justify it, when others declare [[war]], we say, it is unjust. Then who can justify [[war]]? Man should not follow the law of the jungle to overcome [[human]] problems. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/MoreQA.htm web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo] | [http://web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/MoreQA.htm web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo] | ||
Revision as of 23:28, 29 January 2015
You can be a soldier of Truth, but not the aggressor.
One day, Sinha, the general of the army, went to the Buddha and said, ‘I am a soldier, O Blessed One. I am appointed by the King to enforce his laws and to wage his wars. The Buddha teaches infinite love, kindness and compassion for all sufferers: Does the Buddha permit the punishment of the criminal? And also, does the Buddha declare that it is wrong to go to war for the protection of our homes, our wives, our children and our property? Does the Buddha teach the doctrine of complete self-surrender? Should I suffer the evil-doer to do with what he pleases and yield submissively to him who threatens to take by violence what is my own? Does the Buddha maintain that all strife including warfare waged for a righteous cause should be forbidden?’
The Buddha replied, ‘He who deserves punishment must be punished. And he who is worthy of favour must be favoured. Do not do injury to any living being but be just, filled with love and kindness’. These injunctions are not contradictory because the person who is punished for his crimes will suffer his injury not through the ill-will of the judge but through the evil act itself. His own acts have brought upon him the injury that the executors of the law inflict. When a magistrate punishes, he must not harbour hatred in his heart. When a murderer is put to death, he should realise that his punishment is the result of his own act. With his understanding, he will no longer lament his fate but can console his mind. And the Blessed One continued, ‘The Buddha teaches that all warfare in which man tries to slay his brothers is lamentable. But he does not teach that those who are involved in war to maintain peace and order, after having exhausted all means to avoid conflict, are blameworthy’.
‘Struggle must exist, for all life is a struggle of some kind. But make certain that you do not struggle in the interest of self against truth and justice. He who struggles out of self-interest to make himself great or powerful or rich or famous, will have no reward. But he who struggles for peace and truth will have great reward; even his defeat will be deemed a victory.
‘If a person goes to battle even for a righteous cause, then Sinha, he must be prepared to be slain by his enemies because death is the destiny of warriors. And should his fate overtake him, he has no reason to complain. But if he is victorious his success may be deemed great, but no matter how great it is, the wheel of fortune may turn again and bring his life down into the dust. However, if he moderates himself and extinguishes all hatred in his heart, if he lifts his down-trodden adversary up and says to him, ‘Come now and make peace and let us be brothers’, then he will gain a victory that is not a transient success; for the fruits of that victory will remain forever.
‘Great is a successful general, but he who conquers self is the greater victor. This teaching of conquest of self, Sinha, is not taught to destroy the lives of others, but to protect them. The person who has conquered himself is more fit to live, to be successful and to gain victories than is the person who is the slave of self. The person whose mind is free from the illusion of self, will stand and not fall in the battle of life. He whose intentions are righteousness and justice, will meet with no failure. He will be successful in his enterprise and his success will endure. He who harbours love of truth in his heart will live and not suffer, for he has drunk the water of immortality. So struggle courageously and wisely. Then you can be a soldier of Truth’.
There is no justice in war or violence. When we declare war, we justify it, when others declare war, we say, it is unjust. Then who can justify war? Man should not follow the law of the jungle to overcome human problems.
