Why do Buddhist monks feel the need to fight over their religion?

Question

PROTESTERS calling for an end to recent violence in Sri Lanka found themselves brawling with hardline Buddhist monks today, after a rally dubbed a ?peace protest? turned unexpectedly violent.

Organisers said there were around 1000 people in a park in the capital, Colombo, listening to a range of speakers when hardline saffron-robed monks opposed to concessions to Tamil Tiger rebels mounted the stage and erected banners.

Some more moderate Buddhist monks, protesting for peace, were already on the stage when punches were thrown. Soon, monks' robes and fists were flying, although no one was badly hurt, witnesses said.

“They were saying we should go to war,” said pro-peace monk Madampawe Assagee.

“We like to listen to other opinions so we let them do that, but then they started fighting and we couldn't control some of our people. They tried to make it a big fight but we settled it in a few minutes.”

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20167538-23109,00.html

Answer 1

lol i didnt really read that
but all i noe is im a buddhist
an f*cking proud of it ^_^

Answer 2

Sounds like just a couple of them got carried away while most tried their best to keep things from getting too violent. Violence is against the teachings of the Buddha, but even monks can get incensed by politics, it would seem. According to the article you have cited, it was more about politics about the Tamil Tiger than about religion. The Tigers are a group that has employed violent guerrilla tactics, an act that few Buddhists would approve of. You have made false assumptions on the limited information that you have provided.

Answer 3

An excellent question. Although I am modestly in agreement with Neuralzen's answer, I feel personally encouraged that there are Buddhists who have been able to resurrect their warrior spirit. That hasn't happened in a long time. True, just because everyone else does it, doesn't mean we should as well, but there may be times when "skillful means" requires taking appropriate action. Theravada practitioners may of course, prefer a different approach.
Excuse me - I am so ignorant. The Tigers ARE Theravada, at least officially. And they have just as much access to skillful means as I do.

Answer 4

The deeper truths of the Buddhist tradition can be told to anyone. It is the grasping and maintaining that is difficult and take time to master. They are practitioners of Buddhism, but they are still learning and trying to master themselves just as anyone is. The lost themselves to delusion for a time, hopefully they have learned something from it about themselves. We must make mistakes to learn from them.

Answer 5

monks are peaceful until you compromise their way of life. i heard a quote once that said "if you are trying to meditate while a dog is barking and you can't concentrate, KILL THE DOG" i am paraphrasing but that is why monks study martial arts is so they can protect their way of life.

Answer 6

Jesus Christ pursues a relationship with us. Have you ever been in a relationship where you were always the one who was initiating? They are tiresome and usually don't last very long. Best friends are the ones who enjoy each other so much that they invest their time equally in pursuit of that relationship. Unlike religions that try to reach their God, with Christ you see God reaching out to us. Jesus Christ said why he came: "that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." He came to give us an eternal life with him, for those who will believe in him.

Answer 7

Why give up a religion that has gone on for thousands of years?

Answer 8

Congratulations... so you finished them off fast... settled it in a hurry... how brave, how smart. You must feel very proud!!

Answer 9

That is the freakiest avatar I have seen yet.

They think that it is their religious duty.

Answer 10

the same reason we all fight over religion.