ABSTRACT
In the Western world, Buddhism is widely regarded as a religion devoted to peace, non-violence, pacifism and opposition to war. There are obvious reasons for this reputation. Traditional Buddhist texts advocated the value of non-harming (ahiṁsā/ahiṃsā). For example, in the Dhammapada we are told “one who is harmless toward all living beings is called a ‘noble one’” (Carter and Palihawadana 2000: 270). In the Buddha’s original teaching, “abandoning the killing of living beings” was said to be the first form of “bodily conduct in accordance with the Dharma” (MN I 287). Not killing has traditionally been regarded as the first of the five basic moral precepts in Buddhism. Moreover, all of the proponents of socially engaged Buddhism featured in Chapter 11 have expressed their strong opposition to violence and war. For example, as we have seen, Nhat Hanh stated his determination not to kill in the Twelfth Mindfulness Training. Moreover, the Dalai Lama has regularly spoken of his “firm commitment to nonviolence” (Dalai Lama 1996: 6). There is no question that opposition to violence and killing is a fundamental value in all Buddhist traditions.
