[Buddha-l] Re: Buddhist pacifism

[Benito Carral]

On Wednesday, October 12, 2005, Richard P. Hayes wrote:

> I agree. As the saying goes "There are things I would
> die  for,  but there is nothing I would kill for." If
> the price to pay in defending non- violence is my own
> death,  so  be  it.  And if Buddhism is eliminated by
> aggressors, I'd rather see it perish that way that to
> perish  by  defending  itself  in  a  way  that  is a
> betrayal of its own basic principles.

   The  first of Thich Nhat Hanh's Fourteen Mindfulness
Trainings says:

           Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism
           and  intolerance,  I am determined not to be
           idolatrous  about  or bound to any doctrine,
           theory  or  ideology,  even  Buddhist  ones.
           Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help
           me  learn  to  look deeply and to develop my
           understanding  and  compassion. They are not
           doctrines to fight, kill or die for.

   I  wouldn't die without trying to defend the world I
have chosen to live in. I believe that a meaningful and
warm life is quite more importat than just surviving. I
will do everything in my hand to stop exterminators. So
it seems to me that I'm not Buddhist enough.

   Best wishes,

   Beni