what is the buddhist stance on self-defense?

Question

if someone or yourself is being attacked or harmed, do buddhists believe in taking physical action against the perpetrator? in other words, are they allowed to kill in defense?

Answer 1

There are only 5 basic precepts that are the basis of Buddhism, the first of which is "I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living beings." Killing and Buddhism are antithetical to each other. This is the reason Buddhism is associated with vegetarianism. This is also the reason that, in a history that is about 600 years older than Christianity and about 1600 years older than Islam, no Buddhist army (as if such a thing could exist) has ever invaded, killed or "converted" people. Ever. Have you heard of Buddhist nations such as Tibet or Bhutan ever attacking anyone? Even with over 50 million Tibetans murdered in the past 65 years by the Commie Chinese, has Tibet ever retaliated? No. They are Buddhist and therefore in complete opposition to killing.

That said...

Self-defense (or defense of innocents) is not only acceptable, but encouraged! By defending yourself or an innocent, you are even helping the perpetrator by preventing them from accumulating worse Karma. However, killing is NEVER right. Not even in defense.

This is the reason that the bow staff (a long wooden stick) is the traditional weapon of the Lohan (fighting monks of the Chan Buddhist tradition in China who protect and guard the temple). With the bow staff an attacker can be completely disarmed and crippled down to breaking every bone in their body if need be -- but without killing. This is much harder to do with a sword, bow and arrow, knives etc. The Lohan defended the Shaolin Temple in China for hundreds of years with the bow staff even though they fully trained with broad swords and other more dangerous weapons. The martial arts are closely entwined with Chinese Buddhist tradition partly because it does take a higher degree of skill to defend without killing. There are some very simple techniques requiring very little skill or strength which can kill an opponent** (see below for specific examples); but to completely disarm an opponent with compassion instead of anger and with enough control to do as little harm as possible is something that can take a great deal of training, dicipline and commitment! Even when defending against wild wolves or other beasts, the monk will use the bow staff to disable to wolf (by breaking teeth or a leg) and then will nurse it back to health with typical Buddhist compassion. Pacifists need the strongest defenses, but resorting to killing makes you no longer a pacifist.

**examples: a sharp upward blow to attacker's nasal bone with the palm of the hand can send it into the frontal lobe of the brain with relatively little force, the adult human neck can be broken with as little as 10 lbs of pressure when snapped correctly,and it's pretty easy to pick up any blunt heavy object and bash someone's skull in as well -- these are just straight forward scientifically accepted examples that cause deaths every day. (I'm not even going to get into the highly skilled and controversial realm of killing through manipulating pressure points and Qi meridians, or ninjitsu techniques).

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

This could be a loaded question. Is God so powerful that he can make a rock so heavy that he himself cannot lift it? However, I will try to answer. I am Theraveda Buddhist, and also Black sect Tantric Buddhist trained All life is sanctioned and precious. Even that mosquito that bites your arm, or the cockroach that annoys you. A few months ago, extremists of another religion thought they were performing service to their God by slaughtering Buddhist Monks and teachers in a certain part of Asia. The Buddhists did not resist, and are now long dead. However, were I in that situation, I would understand that this present life is only an illusion or dream. I am only here temporarily to learn, grow, and evolve spiritually. Death is a natural part of life, and not to be feared. I have died before. I will return to my original source and home. Later, if I choose, I can be born into this world again. God is the great recycler. Everything on this planet is recycled, water, air, life. Why not souls? 70 or 80 years is not enough to comprehend existence. We need more time. Have you ever looked into the smiling eyes of a baby and known that it is a very old soul? Religion explains very little and is mostly useless in solving life's problems, despite what many say. I would not resist being attacked. However, if my children or loved ones were attacked, I would definitely fight. It is part of our internal software. It is our programming to do so. Even my Buddhist beliefs would not stop me. I suppose that is nomal. http://taobarbie.com

Answer 4

Yes. Self-defense is not considered wrong.

Answer 5

Buddhists practice world peace. You can read more about them at http://www.sgi-usa.org

Nam myoho renge kyo.