[Buddha-l] Buddhism & War

[jkirk]

> On Wednesday 20 September 2006 08:29, curt wrote:
>
>> The single most important defining characteristic of pacifism is it's
>> rejection of "defensive" violence - including especially defensive wars.

> Richard replied:
> I have spent most of my adult life hanging around people who define 
> themselves
> as pacifists, and I have never encountered a position such as the one you
> state.
===================
You seem to have forgotten the role of Mahatma Gandhi in inspiring such 
pacifists as Martin Luther King and his movement. Gandhi deplored any kind 
of violence including "defensive" violence. He spent years training his 
followers in peaceful resistance without violence. Yet, both he and King 
were assassinated. Makes one wonder about the value of non-self-defense.

Joanna