Nonviolence and Justifiable Use of Force

by Arthur Telling

Nonviolence Under the Looking Glass

At a Buddhist temple in Sacramento, California, a young American nun was answering questions for a mostly Burmese congregation. Buddhism teaches nonviolence. A man who had recently returned from a violence torn area in Myanmar (Burma) asked the nun what to do when his village comes under attack from Muslims. The nun responded that violence was not ever to be used, not even in defense of home or village.

Many in the audience became angry upon hearing the nun’s seeming insensitive words. Another man stood, complaining that if they didn’t defend themselves their families and friends would be wiped out and their treasured Buddhism would cease to exist.

The Theravada Buddhist nun held fast, repeating earlier words that as Buddhists they should not, under any circumstance, raise a finger against anyone.

The nun was doctrinairely right; Buddha instructed to never at all harm, by intent, sentient beings. But this American nun — who was not Burmese and perhaps not exposed to such aggression — was she giving the appropriate advice? Might there be a more practical middle-ground for villagers who are lay Buddhists and not monastics?

Can a Buddhist people justify defensive violence and not abandon their principles?

As practitioners of whatever our faith and principles, we are at differing levels of experiential understanding. In the Buddhist practice, a monk, purifying his mind, grows in spiritual power and personal strength, his strengthening aura affecting those in his proximity and beyond. There are stories of these powerful men; such as a Mahayana Buddhist Master. He rode in the back of a bus as thieves robbed the passengers individually. On reaching the master, the thieves immediately knew he was a holy man, and instead of robbing him, they knelt at his feet and asked forgiveness.

The story is true, according to the monk’s disciples. If this man were in a village overrun by Muslim aggressors, he would stand in the path of the aggressors. Yet, he would hold respect for them, knowing in his mind they are his misguided brothers. If his spiritual power is great, they will turn away. Otherwise they may kill him, or beat him, or bypass him and continue their attack. Regardless, the monk is or was true to his principles and will enjoy a holy spiritual plane upon death.