What are the causes of conflict?
The causes of any war are complex. Wars are rarely about just one thing. They can be declared when a state or states act to:
- attack or invade another state, to gain territory or resources
- resist such an attack or invasion by an aggressor
- protect another state from attack by an aggressor
- impose domination or political change on another state, or to resist such domination
- challenge a threat to 'essential national interests' by another state
- counter perceived threats from a different ideology, religion or ethnic group
- defend the national honour when under threat
War can also occur internally within a state between organised groups. This is known as civil war.
What does Buddhism teach about war and peace?
The Five Precepts are moral guides that many Buddhists try to follow in order to minimise desires and reach enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth.. The first of these Precepts is to abstain from taking life.
Killing or harming human beings is therefore clearly problematic for Buddhists. Because of this, some Buddhists would not rise to an attack or to any conflict with violence.
Buddhism teaches that in times of war, Buddhists must show compassionUnderstanding and appreciation of the pain and suffering of others. and help all living beings. They must abandon any fight that crosses their path.
Even if thieves carve you limb from limb with a double-handed saw, if you make your mind hostile you are not following my teachings.
The The Noble Eightfold PathBuddhist practises that can lead to the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth: right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation. is at the heart of Buddhist teachings. These rules help Buddhists to behave in a peaceful way and to live in harmony with others. For example, they should believe in the importance of right speechBuddhists should always try to speak in a truthful and harmonious way, avoiding gossip. and not engage in an argument which might result in a physical fight.
Nevertheless many Buddhist countries have or have had a standing army and have been involved in warfare at one time or another. This is justified either by claiming that military action is an evil necessity, perhaps even to defend the dharmaThis word has various meanings which have to be understood from the context in which it is used. It can mean religious duty. In Buddhism it is most widely used to mean the Buddha鈥檚 teaching. It can also mean 鈥榯he truth鈥. itself; or by giving soldiers a special leave for not observing the precept not to kill.
Ahimsa
ahimsaThe Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh principle of total non-violence, in thoughts, words and actions. is the principle of 'non-harm'. Many Buddhists try to practice ahimsa in their everyday lives and believe that it is wrong to show violence at any time. This means that it is possible that a Buddhist may therefore refuse to fight under any circumstances. Some Buddhists are pacifistSomeone who is completely opposed to any kind of violence and will not participate in any aspect of war., even when it comes to self-defence.
Shaolin
Shaolin is a well-known form of martial artsAny form of traditional self-defence that does not use weapons, such as karate, judo, or kung fu. which has very strict rules about how violence can be used. The Shaolin teaching forbids the Buddhist monkA person who is a member of a monastic order, living under religious obedience. from ever being the aggressorSomeone who is attacking or aggressive in a situation of conflict.. This type of martial art is a form of self-defence and uses physical skill to avoid harm.