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-- Nick Cheesman
Note: The following letter was sent to the BBC in reply to a World Today programme of February 13 that misrepresented the Buddhist position on warfare.
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Dear Sir/Madam
Contrary to the suggestion of your World Today announcer (13 February), nowhere in Buddhism can an argument be made for "just war". The teaching of Gautama Buddha is pristine in its unequivocal rejection violence.
Gautama Buddha lived during a bloody and terrible period not unlike our own: small states that had existed in relative peace were being swallowed up by larger powers governed by elites who exalted destruction and grew fat on the blood of others. Siddhartha Gautama belonged to one of these states, and was confronted by this violence. Like many of his contemporaries, he took to silent contemplation as a means towards a solution. But this was not a withdrawal from life; nor was it in answer to a calling, like a prophet or semi-deity. Gautama, rather, was seeking a practical remedy to our innately human suffering.
His solution was to conquer by loving-kindness. This was not an individualistic teaching. It was a universal and entirely communal teaching, open to all comers, including the many kings and generals who sought his advice. Nowhere is this more clearly illustrated than in the beautiful Cakkavatti Sihananda Sutta, the Lion's Roar on the Turning of the Wheel Discourse. The wheel at that time was a symbol of violent statecraft, taken from the war chariot. In a brilliant reversal, Gautama Buddha converted the wheel to a symbol of peace. Instead of rolling with the chariot wheel, the righteous king travels with the Wheel of Righteousness, upholding human rights and attending to people's needs. Instead of carnage and fear, this wheel brings with it prosperity and happiness.
About three centuries after Gautama Buddha, Emperor Asoka converted to his teaching. Asoka had instigated enormous bloodshed, and recoiled at the consequences. Renouncing violent conquest, he instead engaged in a great many social works, and recorded what may have been the first bill of rights by a head of state. Under his rule, a vast area of south and central Asia experienced unprecedented prosperity.
Asoka understood that there is no such thing as a "just war". Every problem can be solved by human understanding and endeavour. War is a negative response to conflict that saps the reservoir of creative energy and goodwill available for a genuine solution. The mealy-mouthed leaders who now spend their days talking up war should realize this fundamental truth, stop speaking nonsense, and find their way forward through some other avenue.
Yours sincerely
Nick Cheesman
ALRC
Posted on 2003-02-14
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