Monks with Guns - Buddhists aren’t immune to anger, fear, or violence

(Alot of misconceptions about buddhism in the west. Even a cursory look at the Vietnam war should dispel those pretty quickly - btg)

The publication late last year of Buddhist Warfare, the book I coedited with sociologist and religious studies scholar Mark Juergensmeyer, was a bittersweet experience. It marked the culmination of a journey that began with an exploration of the peaceful aspects of Buddhism—only to end up chronicling portions of its dark side.

The journey began in 2003 when my wife and I spent a year in Thailand. I was there to research Buddhist social activism, which was going to be the topic of my dissertation. Rather than look to archives, I decided to speak with Buddhist monks and nuns.

I interviewed monks protecting the forests from big business and villagers from dangerous pesticides. I spoke with Thai Buddhist monastic intellectuals. I met and began to chronicle the activities of the first fully ordained Thai Buddhist nun. Then, in January 2004, violent attacks broke out in the southern provinces of Thailand, some of them directed at Buddhist monks.

Since contemporary issues and my research seemed to be converging, I thought: What better way to study Buddhist activism than to observe Buddhist monks engaged in peace­making? Unfortunately, I found very little of this. During my visits between 2006 and 2008, southern Thai monks shared with me the challenges of living in fear-infested communities. All but a few concentrated on survival.

Peacemaking was the last thing on their minds.

http://www.utne.com/GreatWriting/Monks-with-Guns-Buddhist.aspx?utm_content=04.28.10+Sci-Tech&utm_campaign=Emerging+Ideas-Every+Day&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

--Ancient Chinese saying.

They marched in peace, and were brutalized, and they probably could have fought, but they stayed with peace.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/world/asia/24myanmar.html


However I agree all people and all groups have both good and bad.

n/t

i looked it up...

the difference is not that Buddhists WON'T fight, it's that they won't fight without thinking it through. That's part of mindfulness. You do only as much fighting as you have to do and you do it with full awareness of what your actions entail. That's including the damage to enemies, collateral damage and the karma you're building up for yourself. IOW and simply, you wouldn't see a Buddhist going into a "war of choice" for small reasons.

I'm just beginning to practice Buddhism at age 50. It seems to me that living in modern society requires a great deal of cynicism and keeping your guard up. If you practice pure, sincere Buddhism you'll be crushed like a bug. Some Buddhists manage, but often by disengaging from society.

The OP's point seems to be that Buddhists are human too. I can live with that. I need to concentrate more on my actions, rather than the other guy's.

and 1000x more rational than monotheism.

- Like jealousy.