[Buddha-l] Re: Buddhist pacifism

[Kate]

Hi Curt,

Thanks for posting all this info.  I was reading the other day about the
eighth century Great Debate in Tibet between Chinese teachers of Chaan Na
and an Indian-based group (Santiraksita's pupils).  Proponents of both sides
were alarmed at the other's teachings and after the debate, students of both
parties are recorded as having committed suicide in protest at the verdicts
reached.  One named Nan sa mi cut his flesh into pieces and two Tibetans
crushed their genitals.  One of the Chinese teachers, Mem go, set his head
alight and died.  It is said that some of the Chinese party decided to
assassinate members of the Indian.  Chinese members claimed the Indians had
already made a similar plan.  It is recorded in the dPao gtsug p'ren ba
manuscript that the Chinese Chaan teacher hid some of his school's texts in
a rock lest they all be killed and the teachings forgotten.

There are also reports of some Chinese sects who went in for bodily
mortifications, such as burning the skull or other parts of the body with
incense.

Regards
Kate