Buddhism
Q&A for people practicing or interested in Buddhist philosophy, teaching, and practice
Latest Questions
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How should a Buddhist respond to Bullying / Bullies?
How should a Buddhist respond to being bullied / bullying? Obviously there are many admonitions against bullying / related behavior in the suttas, but I'm looking for specific actions that should be taken in response to bullying. Some examples: - Being bullied at school by a stronger person. - Being...
How should a Buddhist respond to being bullied / bullying?
Obviously there are many admonitions against bullying / related behavior in the suttas, but I'm looking for specific actions that should be taken in response to bullying.
Some examples:
- Being bullied at school by a stronger person.
- Being harrassed at work by a coworker.
- Being robbed / attacked in the street.
- Dealing with racial/sexual/other forms of bigotry.
- Dealing with neighborhood gang / police violence.
- Dealing with colonialism / imperialism.
dessalines
(157 rep)
Apr 14, 2025, 09:53 PM
• Last activity: Apr 19, 2025, 08:37 AM
9
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2
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Buddhism, mothers and earthworms
My first exposure to Buddhism was watching [Seven Years in Tibet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years_in_Tibet_%281997_film%29) in my German childhood. Most memorable were the following two scenes of Buddhist monks in orange robes. In the one scene, some monks were carefully making a large pict...
My first exposure to Buddhism was watching [Seven Years in Tibet](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Years_in_Tibet_%281997_film%29) in my German childhood. Most memorable were the following two scenes of Buddhist monks in orange robes.
In the one scene, some monks were carefully making a large picture out of coloured sand in a room with large windows. Upon completion (after one year of labour), the monks would simply open the window to let the wind carry the picture away.
In the other scene, monks were very carefully turning soil. Apparently the monks had to be especially careful not to harm any earthworms, because, according to their belief, **their mothers would be reincarnated as earthworms**.
Needless to say, I found it very arbitrary at best that _mothers_ should be reincarnated as _earthworms_ and was troubled by this first impressions for the next decade or so. Unfortunately, I still haven't been able to solve this mystery.
So my question is, as it has been for many years, is there any connection between _mothers_ and _earthworms_ in Buddhism?
Earthliŋ
(283 rep)
Jun 18, 2014, 01:01 AM
• Last activity: Jan 30, 2025, 05:57 AM
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12
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Is Buddhism a teaching of neutrality or "siding with the good"
In situations involving lies and/or violence, does Buddhism teach siding with the good against the bad, or does it teach neutrality i.e. staying outside the conflict and not taking sides? Specifically, If someone (knowingly or unknowingly) spreads lies or misinformation, should a Buddhist challenge...
In situations involving lies and/or violence, does Buddhism teach siding with the good against the bad, or does it teach neutrality i.e. staying outside the conflict and not taking sides?
Specifically,
If someone (knowingly or unknowingly) spreads lies or misinformation, should a Buddhist challenge them to defend the truth OR is it preferable to remain uninvolved (to avoid provoking a conflict)?
If someone violently attacks someone else, does Buddhism teach fighting the aggressor and defending the victim, or does it teach staying out?
Are there examples of such situations in the Pali Canon and later texts?
I mean this question literally as written and am sincerely looking for answers - i.e. this is not a rhetorical question.
Andriy Volkov
(59515 rep)
Mar 3, 2022, 03:15 PM
• Last activity: Apr 15, 2024, 01:24 PM
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Do Buddhists have a country or a religion to defend?
How is it that militant monks can justify waging war or violence? Is nonviolence not necessarily an absolute value for the Buddha? What scriptures are militant monks interpreting to justify war or violence? Are the militant monks making more or less suffering? Is it right to make more suffering than...
How is it that militant monks can justify waging war or violence? Is nonviolence not necessarily an absolute value for the Buddha? What scriptures are militant monks interpreting to justify war or violence?
Are the militant monks making more or less suffering? Is it right to make more suffering than you have to? Do they have to?
Is there groups that are a threat to Buddhists or the Buddha's teaching?
>Do Buddhists have a country to defend?
>
>Do Buddhists have a religion to defend?
Lowbrow
(7349 rep)
Oct 19, 2019, 09:27 PM
• Last activity: Mar 1, 2022, 04:45 AM
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Why are Buddhist monks not as extreme as Jain monks when it comes to non-violence?
Why are Buddhist monks not as extreme as Jain monks when it comes to non-violence? For example Jain monks sweep the floor in front of them to avoid stepping on insects/microbes. As far as I'm aware, Buddhist monks don't do this. I'm guessing it is just that the traditions of the two religions throug...
Why are Buddhist monks not as extreme as Jain monks when it comes to non-violence? For example Jain monks sweep the floor in front of them to avoid stepping on insects/microbes. As far as I'm aware, Buddhist monks don't do this. I'm guessing it is just that the traditions of the two religions through time have been different. But wouldn't it make sense for the Buddhist monks to be as extreme as Jain monks as they also try to avoid harming any living thing? Or maybe Buddhist monks could justify not doing these things as it would eat up more time in their day thus leaving less time for meditation practice? Thoughts anyone? Thanks
TPP
(21 rep)
Dec 11, 2021, 09:58 PM
• Last activity: Dec 14, 2021, 05:32 PM
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What are the sutta references for the Buddha unsuccessfully attempting to stop wars/battles?
I remember hearing that on one, two, or maybe more occasions the Buddha attempted pretty much unsuccessfully to intervene in war or battle. Maybe one had to do with fighting over water rights. I also remember arrows being transmuted into flowers, but unsure if this is related.
I remember hearing that on one, two, or maybe more occasions the Buddha attempted pretty much unsuccessfully to intervene in war or battle. Maybe one had to do with fighting over water rights. I also remember arrows being transmuted into flowers, but unsure if this is related.
vimutti
(572 rep)
Aug 21, 2021, 07:43 PM
• Last activity: Aug 22, 2021, 05:15 AM
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If someone insults you what should you do?
There is a famous story of such an encounter between the Buddha and a ‘difficult person’ named Akkosina. Akkosina’s name means “Not Getting Angry” but he was the exact opposite of his name. Akkosina was easily angered and was always angry about something or someone. When he heard that the Buddha did...
There is a famous story of such an encounter between the Buddha and a ‘difficult person’ named Akkosina. Akkosina’s name means “Not Getting Angry” but he was the exact opposite of his name. Akkosina was easily angered and was always angry about something or someone. When he heard that the Buddha did not get angry with anyone he immediately decided to visit him. He went up to the Buddha and scolded him for all sorts of things, insulting him and calling him awful names. At the end of this angry speech, the Buddha asked this man if he had any friends or relatives. “Yes.” Akokosina replied. “When you visit them, do you take them gifts?” the Buddha asked. “Of course, I always bring them gifts.” The angry man replied. “Then what happens if they don’t accept your gifts?” The Buddha asked. “Well I take them home and enjoy them with my own family” “And likewise,” said the Buddha, “You have brought me a gift here today that I do not accept, and so you may take that gift home to your family.”
source: Akkosa sutta (SN 7.2)
Is there more to learn from the story of the angry man? If someone insults you, it is hard to not be affected by it. So how to balance out your emotions and begin the day from a place of happiness, and how to respond in the same light?
Saptha Visuddhi
(9705 rep)
Jun 13, 2016, 03:45 AM
• Last activity: Jan 13, 2021, 06:35 PM
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Call of duty during a Dharmic war : a Buddhist perspective
For a good Buddhist , is to always avoid any cause that will create bad effect, as we can see clearly in the 4 noble truths for example. What is the Buddhist perspective during an hypotetic moment of tension , where antagonist religions that serve a demiurgic god for temporal power or maybe from a b...
For a good Buddhist , is to always avoid any cause that will create bad effect, as we can see clearly in the 4 noble truths for example.
What is the Buddhist perspective during an hypotetic moment of tension , where antagonist religions that serve a demiurgic god for temporal power or maybe from a blind communist regime , will decide to manipulate and force pratictioners to not follow the Dharma anymore , closing monasteries , destroying sources , texts and deport and killing people in the name of an evil faith? (Look for example what the christians did in Europe in the last 1000 years or the muslim in the Kashmir region, chinese in Tibet and Jews in Palestine)
Fight or get killed?
I would like to have direct answers , not political nor mellifuous / hypocrite one.
Doubtful Monk
(519 rep)
Oct 25, 2020, 05:33 AM
• Last activity: Oct 25, 2020, 11:45 AM
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What does Buddha and Buddhism say about fighting against enemy of dharma?
What does Buddha and Buddhism say about fighting against an enemy who is hell bent on wiping out all buddhists in the name of religion? Should a buddhist actively participate in war against evil? I would like to have an answer both from a buddhist layman and a soldiers perspective. An active resista...
What does Buddha and Buddhism say about fighting against an enemy who is hell bent on wiping out all buddhists in the name of religion? Should a buddhist actively participate in war against evil? I would like to have an answer both from a buddhist layman and a soldiers perspective. An active resistance to injustice in general. Thank you.
gaj
(885 rep)
Sep 13, 2014, 03:55 AM
• Last activity: Oct 25, 2020, 11:43 AM
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7
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Is violence or destruction ever correct?
In the introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen Keys, Philip Kapleau suggests there are times when one can or must rebel. > ... In this type of creativity ow intuitive wisdom and joy are naturally brought into play. > All this does not mean, of course, that attempts at bettering working conditions and...
In the introduction to Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen Keys, Philip Kapleau suggests there are times when one can or must rebel.
> ... In this type
of creativity ow intuitive wisdom and joy are naturally
brought into play.
> All this does not mean, of course, that attempts at
bettering working conditions and making work more
meaningful, such as we are witnessing today as a reaction against robot-like mechanization of the workplace,
are worthless. But for a worker constantly to resent his
work or his supeliors, for him to become sloppy and
slothful in his working habits, for him to become embittered toward life-these attitudes do most harm to
the worker himself and serve little to change his working conditions. When it's time to work one works, nothing held back; when it's time to make changes one
makes changes; **when it's time to revolt one even revolts**. In Zen everything is in the doing, not in the
contemplating.
He doesn't elaborate. I found the line surprising. But Buddhists fight in Myanmar.
Is it ever necessary to deviate from non violence?
R. Romero
(209 rep)
Jun 3, 2020, 06:01 AM
• Last activity: Jun 5, 2020, 05:54 AM
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2
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Can a warrior reach enlightenment?
Can someone who fights, even maybe kills or dies, for a cause he considers right, attain enlightenment? I wonder that after reading that some Buddhists did not share the Zen samurai's vision at all.
Can someone who fights, even maybe kills or dies, for a cause he considers right, attain enlightenment?
I wonder that after reading that some Buddhists did not share the Zen samurai's vision at all.
Kalapa
(826 rep)
Nov 28, 2019, 01:43 AM
• Last activity: Nov 28, 2019, 02:32 PM
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Is Buddhist lifestyle harmless to living beings?
Is the Buddhist lifestyle harmless to living beings? Lot's of creatures are being killed in various human activities (walking, farming, building, etc.) Did Buddhists found a way to live while not harming other living beings? If yes, how? p.s. For more info, read the same question on [this][1] SE. [1...
Is the Buddhist lifestyle harmless to living beings? Lot's of creatures are being killed in various human activities (walking, farming, building, etc.) Did Buddhists found a way to live while not harming other living beings? If yes, how?
p.s. For more info, read the same question on this SE.
Marino Klisovich
(209 rep)
Sep 30, 2019, 05:56 PM
• Last activity: Oct 1, 2019, 11:13 AM
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3
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Does Buddhism endorse pacifism in times of injustice?
How would a monk or a Buddhist answer look like in dealing with injustices like murder, rape, torture? If we refer to Dhammapada 3, the victims get instructions how to deal with those misfortunes, but what about the perpetrators? Would a Buddha not support the actions of military forces -- who kill...
How would a monk or a Buddhist answer look like in dealing with injustices like murder, rape, torture?
If we refer to Dhammapada 3, the victims get instructions how to deal with those misfortunes, but what about the perpetrators?
Would a Buddha not support the actions of military forces -- who kill their opponents -- if their opponent's regime were involved in "wars of aggression" and mass murder of civilians, i.e. "crimes against humanity"?
How would a PRACTICAL Budddhist response look like?
Val
(2560 rep)
Aug 5, 2019, 08:51 AM
• Last activity: Aug 5, 2019, 04:28 PM
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1
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Spiritual Potential and Consequences of Actions
Upon reading [this][1] question, I wondered: would a person with great spiritual potential, without compassion, be more likely to cause great harm than an average person? Not intentionally, but say due to anger or hate; would this person be akin to a politician with great power who's actions can aff...
Upon reading this question, I wondered: would a person with great spiritual potential, without compassion, be more likely to cause great harm than an average person? Not intentionally, but say due to anger or hate; would this person be akin to a politician with great power who's actions can affect more?
**Thus, would spiritual potent individuals' actions have greater consequences under the effect of negative states?**
user7302
Jun 22, 2019, 12:23 PM
• Last activity: Jun 22, 2019, 02:30 PM
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4
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Justifiable violence in Buddhism?
Does Buddhism preach absolute non-violence? Or is there any instance where Buddha had thought that violence can become a necessity under certain situations?
Does Buddhism preach absolute non-violence? Or is there any instance where Buddha had thought that violence can become a necessity under certain situations?
Somanna
(129 rep)
Jun 18, 2019, 07:43 AM
• Last activity: Jun 18, 2019, 09:22 AM
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3
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How would Buddhists respond to someone harming the temple?
If a Buddhist noticed someone trying to severely harm their temple, for example trying to start a fire, how would one expect them to respond? I could imagine a range of responses from completely ignoring it and continuing about their meditation to compassionately talking with the person to getting t...
If a Buddhist noticed someone trying to severely harm their temple, for example trying to start a fire, how would one expect them to respond?
I could imagine a range of responses from completely ignoring it and continuing about their meditation to compassionately talking with the person to getting themselves and bystanders to safety and planning to rebuild later to carrying the person out of the temple. I know spitting on the statue of Buddha is an example used in teachings but I am wondering about scenarios of lasting harm on the facilities that would make them unusable.
Are there any instructive historical examples where something like this happened?
Mu Mind
(131 rep)
Apr 20, 2019, 04:38 PM
• Last activity: Apr 22, 2019, 04:56 AM
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If a buddhist had the opportunity to stop the holocaust by killing hitler, should he or she do it?
This is basically a philosophical question, in the light of buddhist ethics. Suppose a buddhist person were in a situation in which he could stop the jewish holocaust, but the ONLY way he or she could do that is by killing hitler? Of course, i'm asking the abstract question here, namely: should a bu...
This is basically a philosophical question, in the light of buddhist ethics.
Suppose a buddhist person were in a situation in which he could stop the jewish holocaust, but the ONLY way he or she could do that is by killing hitler?
Of course, i'm asking the abstract question here, namely: should a buddhist commit an act of violence if this act was the only way to prevent a much larger amount of suffering for many beings? How bad is it for this buddhist if he or she choses to commit such an act?
my naive point of view in this situation is: it probably creates "bad karma" for the buddhist, it might take the buddhist farther away from enlightenment, but I would commit such an act because it makes other beings' lives better, and therefore, probably takes them closer to enlightenment.
I'm asking this question because I'm trying to understand the yellow-jacket movement as well as some issues in my own country.
IpsumPanEst
(1 rep)
Dec 11, 2018, 08:45 PM
• Last activity: Dec 11, 2018, 09:16 PM
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Did Buddhism ever go through a period of relatively high violence?
Catholicism/Christianity had the dark ages and the inquisition in which 'heretics' were prosecuted with violence. One could claim that Islam is currently in a period of high violence. Did Buddhism ever go through such a period?
Catholicism/Christianity had the dark ages and the inquisition in which 'heretics' were prosecuted with violence. One could claim that Islam is currently in a period of high violence. Did Buddhism ever go through such a period?
Chris Mueller
(827 rep)
Sep 8, 2014, 09:15 PM
• Last activity: Jul 23, 2018, 09:04 PM
23
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14
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Can or should a Buddhist defend themselves physically?
If someone is attacking you to kill you should you defend yourself? Would it be ethical to kill an intruder coming into your home? If not, how did the bushido samauri warriors justify it? We're they wrong?
If someone is attacking you to kill you should you defend yourself? Would it be ethical to kill an intruder coming into your home? If not, how did the bushido samauri warriors justify it? We're they wrong?
jason
(271 rep)
Jul 13, 2014, 07:22 AM
• Last activity: Apr 25, 2017, 01:56 AM
1
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5
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Was the Buddha against violence in all situations?
  Is a strictly pacifist Buddhism exactly correct or are there certain situations were violence or war might be appropriate according to the Buddha's teaching?   What did the Buddha say about the Military?   Given that Buddhist countries have soldiers, what doctrine[s] do they use to...
Is a strictly pacifist Buddhism exactly correct or are there certain situations were violence or war might be appropriate according to the Buddha's teaching?
What did the Buddha say about the Military?
Given that Buddhist countries have soldiers, what doctrine[s] do they use to justify having a military to defend the people and the Dharma?
Is there anything in the Tipitaka to support the idea that a soldier who selflessly tries to defend others and/or the Dharma by violent means, makes good karma?
Lowbrow
(7349 rep)
Mar 21, 2016, 06:51 AM
• Last activity: Mar 26, 2016, 12:20 AM
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