The Living Computer
Photo: Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives C03348
“How should Buddhists respond when in a certain country the military is dominating society through the use of force and is oppressing the people? How should we challenge them or how should we resist, or shouldn’t we?”
~ Response by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu ~
In a Buddhist country there would not be such kinds of soldiers. A military that uses force to oppress the people would not exist in a truly Buddhist country. When there is such a military, it means that the military does not have Dhamma. In a Buddhist country, in a genuinely Buddhist country, the military will have Dhamma. They will perform the correct duties of the military in order to maintain the peace and security of the country. In that case there’s no problem, there will be no conflict between the military and the people. If, however, the military is using force, is killing its own people and exploiting in other ways, this is a sign that that country does not have Dhamma, that that country lacks true or correct religion.
To resist immorality with more immorality, or with immoral means, leads only to war. To resist or work against immorality, one needs morality or higher levels of Dhamma. Therefore one should prepare oneself to resist immorality in this higher way by training and having Dhamma.
To have a Dhamma exchange between different segments of society can prevent such problems. Please don’t overlook this possibility of exchanging Dhamma, of discussing Dhamma, so as to make understanding.
One should rely upon mutual understanding and reconciliation as the primary means to deal with such conflicts or problems. These are the means which can actually solve the problems, that is understanding and reconciliation through Dhamma. Please don’t forget these tools.
(From the retreat “The Living Computer,” as translated from the Thai by Santikaro)
Dhamma Questions & Responses sessions were offered by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu in 1990-1991 to foreign meditators attending Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage courses.
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