Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00557)

Aug 27 2004



Dear Friend:



This seems to be an interesting view:





WAR -- BUDDHA ON







Theosophy does not advocate "war" at any time.



Here is what the great Buddha said 2,500 years or so ago:



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One day, Sinha, the general of the army, went to the Buddha and

said:



" I am a soldier, O Blessed One. I am appointed by the King to

enforce his laws and to wage his wars. The Buddha teaches

infinite love, kindness and compassion for all sufferers: Does

the Buddha permit the punishment of the criminal?



And also, does the Buddha declare that it is wrong to go to war

for the protection of our homes, our wives, our children and our

property? Does the Buddha teach the doctrine of complete

self-surrender? Should I suffer the evil-doer to do what he

pleases and yield submissively to him who threatens to take by

violence what is my own? Does the Buddha maintain that all strife

including warfare waged for a righteous cause should be

forbidden?"





The Buddha replied,



"He who deserves punishment must be punished. And he who is

worthy of favour must be favoured. Do not do injury to any living

being but be just, filled with love and kindness.



All warfare in which man tries to slay his brothers is lamentable.



Struggle must exist, for all life is a struggle of some kind. But

make certain that you do not struggle in the interest of self

against truth and justice. He who struggles for peace and truth

will have great reward; even his defeat will be deemed a victory.



"If a person goes to battle even for a righteous cause, then

Sinha, he must be prepared to be slain by his enemies because

death is the destiny of warriors. And should his fate overtake

him, he has no reason to complain. But if he is victorious his 

success may be deemed great, but no matter how great it is, 

the wheel of fortune may turn again and bring his life down 

into the dust.



However, if he moderates himself and extinguishes all hatred in

his heart, if he lifts his down-trodden adversary up and says to

him, "Come now and make peace and let us be brothers," then he

will gain a victory that is not a transient success; for the

fruits of that victory will remain forever.



"Great is a successful general, Sinha, but he who conquers self

is the greater victor.



This teaching of conquest of self, Sinha, is not taught to

destroy the lives of others, but to protect them. The person who

has conquered himself is more fit to live, to be successful and

to gain victories that is the person who is a slave of self.



The person whose mind is free from illusion of self, will stand

and not fall in the battle of life. He whose intentions are

righteousness and justice, will meet with no failures. He will be

successful in his enterprise and his success will endure. He who

harbours love of truth in his heart will live and not suffer, for

he has drunk the water of immortality. So struggle courageously

and wisely. Then you can be a soldier of Truth." 



[From the Suttas]





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Best wishes,





Dallas





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