I am not buddhist but like what the buddhist tradition stands for. I am wondering how Sri Lanka can be at war if the nation is mostly Buddhist. Isnt buddhism a tradition based on peace? Would the Buddha condone such actions? If so, on what grounds/logic?
2006-10-18 11:44:04 · 8 answers · asked by dave n 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion in all forms has it's battles and wars .... no way around it when people insist on trying to move in and take control of land with greed and contempt at the helm.
2006-10-18 11:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hate to burst your bubble, but when it comes right down to it, Buddhists, even Tibetan Buddhists, are no more pacifist than anyone else.
Here's a quote I found from Donald Lopez, a Buddhist scholar:
"Tibet was not a non-violent society, even after the Dalai Lamas assumed secular control in 1642. The fifth Dalai Lama assumed secular power over Tibet only through the military intervention of his Qoshot Mongol patron, the Gushri Khan, whose troops defeated the Dalai Lama's rival, the king of Tsang. Tibetan armies fought wars against Ladakh in 1681 and against the Dzungar Mongols in 1720, and made numerous armed incursions into Bhutan in the eighteenth century. Tibetan troops fought against invading Nepali forces in 1788-1792 and 1854, against Dogra forces invading Ladakh from Kashmir in 1842, and against the British in 1904. The ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth Dalai Lamas all died young, with some or all rumored to have been poisoned, and the thirteenth Dalai Lama survived an assassination attempt by his own regent. Many Tibetan monks fought bravely against the Chinese invaders in the 1950s."
A lot of Buddhists act in ways the Buddha would never condone, just as many Christians can be pretty casual with the teaching of Christ. Don't worry too much about what other people are doing. Just focus on your own practice and keep trying to bring peace into the world.
2006-10-22 10:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by rtperson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is also based on peace and look at us. War War War.
Thomas Merton, famous Trappist monk and Thich Nhat Hanh, famous Buddhist monk - were fast friends. They started the Monastic Interreligious Dialog where Christians and Buddhists come together. It's neat stuff.
Check out the book "Jesus and the Buddah as Brothers."
Anyway, to answer your question: Buddhism, like Christianity, is about the road to peace and spirituality. The biggest difference between the two is how that road is walked. Buddhists, it's all about the self. My road. Christianity, it's all about others. Our road. Jesus preached community. Buddha preached self.
Which ever road one takes, we are still human. We are faulty. Our ego gets in the way. When ego gets in the way we stop being "righteous" and become "self-righteous." When we become self-righteous we go to war. My land. My people. My cow. My Nikes. Both Buddha and Jesus said to give it all away and be at peace. If you have nothing, then no one can take anything from you.
Good question by the way. Fun to respond to.
For those who comment that Buddhists wouldn't go to war, you need to check the news. Buddhists fight and kill and try to hide their murders just like any other human being.
2006-10-18 11:54:00 · answer #3 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are just people like any other people. You would not find there monks going to war. War in self defense is understood by Buddhist everywhere. Just ask a Shoalin Monk, Buddhist Warrior munks.
2006-10-18 11:49:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
India covertly supports the Hindus against their brethren. India has tried to take control of Sri Lanka for almost a thousand years - only the British conquest of India has distracted India from that goal.
2006-10-19 09:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no he would not. The country is at war because hindu freedom fighters known as the tamil tigers want a seperate state in the north of the country called Tamil Eelaam. Both sides have no justification and it has been tit for tat pointless violence. The tigers have killed innocent civilians. So has the Buddhist government. the bottom line is, its just another war that has been disguised as religious warfare but is actually idiots hungry for power
P.S. Judith, whenever there is religious war, you blame it on muslims right? Because muslims arent fighting this war. Idiots like you should be killed! If you're going to be a racist, at least get your facts right!
2006-10-18 11:48:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Muslims are trying to take over, and are killing all who oppose their religious laws. Even Buddhists must fight for their freedom.
2006-10-18 11:47:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
buddhists are human, aren't they? they aren't saints.
2006-10-18 11:48:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋