Can Buddhists be warriors?

Warrior monks in the Asian setting usually refer to members of Buddhist monastic communities who fight for their religious masters. Buddhist monk warriors are similar to European Templars and crusaders only in name.

Do Buddhists try to recruit?

Buddhism or Buddhist monks do not recruit people to the teachings. Buddhas message to mankind is to first investigate the philosophy first, if it only makes sense, to follow it.

Who is the warrior Buddha?

In his youth Siddhartha Gautama was a brawny, six-foot warrior prince, trained in the art of war—and perhaps touched by tragedy. It is a curious fact of military history that the founders of three of the world’s four major religions were soldiers.

What is warrior caste in Buddhism?

The Agganna Sutta elaborates on a history of the world in which the Buddha’s monks and nuns, and the warrior caste from which the Buddha came, are superior to brahmins, who were known for class discrimination. The monastic Sangha was a spiritual warrior society within the historic conflict of the brahmin’s struggle.

Can one convert Buddhism?

Buddhism is a religion that some people can enter into with their entire hearts and minds without leaving critical thinking skills at the door. And it is also a religion that has no deep compulsion to convert anyone.

Did Buddha have enemies?

The Buddha rebuked Devadatta harshly and said he was not worthy. Thus Devadatta became the Buddha’s enemy. Devadatta persuaded the prince to murder his father and assume the throne of Magadha. At the same time, Devadatta vowed to have the Buddha murdered so he could take over the sangha.

Can you practice Buddhism and be in the military?

Doing Buddhist meditation regularly will change the way you see things. So try to keep an open mind. I was both a Buddhist and in the military for many years. Yes, you can practice Buddhism and be in the military. You can also practice Buddhism and be a member of the police force, for the same reasons.

Can you practice Buddhism and be a member of the police?

You can also practice Buddhism and be a member of the police force, for the same reasons. For the fundamentalists or legalists, nowhere in his sutras does Buddha say being in the military is prohibited. Don’t confuse the strong element of anti-authoritarian and anti-military attitude we have in Western Buddhism with required dogma.

Is Buddhism peaceful and non-violent?

For many, the perception of Buddhism being purely peaceful and non-violent (“pacifist”) has painted the religion into something it never claimed to be. This Westerner’s interpretation of a pacifist Buddhism is not rooted in reality, or practicality, and has directly influenced the topic of the military.

What does the Buddha say about war?

And the Blessed One continued, ‘The Buddha teaches that all warfare in which man tries to slay his brothers is lamentable. But he does not teach that those who are involved in war to maintain peace and order, after having exhausted all means to avoid conflict, are blameworthy.