Killing sentient beings is never good, all can agree.
Killing from hate, jealousy, for revenge and the like is never good, all can agree.
Sometimes, killing a sentient being may be needed to save the lives of other sentient beings. (
We may never know for sure, in a given moment, that taking a life is truly necessary, the 'best course' to save life. We can only act honestly as we judge in that moment).
Although killing is never 'good', it may have both good and bad effects ... or, at least, stop some evils in this world. Unfortunately, any violence will likely have accompanying bad effects too ... breed resentments somewhere, calls for revenge from someone. Violence (even to prevent violence or save lives) may lead to more violence in the future, and hate breeds hate.
Where possible and the situation allows, every reasonable and creative alternative to the use of force should be tried first. When violence is necessary, it should be kept to the minimum necessary to the circumstance.
Despite whether a killing may be justified a not, the person who was compelled to take the life of another must bear the Karma for that volitional act, and reflect upon and carry the weight of that ... whether or not in future lives, for all of this one. The taking of life must never be done easily, and the person who has done so should mourn that fact and the life of the person(s) whose life he had to take ... 'justified' or not, no matter who they were.
Even if forced to take a life, one must do so as if a physician administering a harsh and painful medicine out of need, and
never with anger, hate, feelings of pleasure or revenge.
Both the violent individual and the target of his violence may be seen as victims of "greed, anger and ignorance" in this world. The rapist, thief, murderer or terrorist is just a product of that. Thus, the true 'enemy' is greed, anger and ignorance'.
Despite the rapist, thief, murderer or terrorist being seen as just a victim of his own Karma, his broken childhood and the like, sometimes force must still be used against such individuals, which may include the taking of his life if needed to protect others.
Despite all our speaking of hypothetical situations, personal and religious ideals ... we cannot truly know how we will react in a given situation, nor our true motivations. Will we take a life when attacked? Will we charge into that burning building to save a stranger? Hopefully, we will just act as best we can when such times come, guided by all the Wisdom and Compassion that has penetrated our hearts up to that moment.
In Zazen, one is that realm by which there is never a drop of greed, anger or ignorance ... no separate self to act in violence, no separate self to be a recipient of violence, no birth no death, no stealing or anything lacking, no gain or loss. In Zazen, one is that realm free of all hate, jealousy, revenge. There is no violence from the start, no taking of life possible.
Through Zazen, rising from the cushion, we may bring out and express such perspectives more and more in this dualistic world.
In this world, wars and conflicts begin with long, sordid histories of "
who did what to whom" ... and it is almost impossible to tell who is in the right (if anyone). The only solution is for people to learn to live together in peace, dropping past conflicts with forgiveness. We should focus away from "I'm right and you're wrong" to simply living together in the future, sharing this world and being cordial. We should share the plentiful resources of this world, and there is enough for everyone if we act wisely. We must learn to live together, dropping excess greed, dropping anger and jealousy.
Until that day comes, however, some wars may be necessary ...
but only in the cause of saving lives. (Perhaps we should not speak of "saving more lives in sheer quantity" ... and perhaps we should not speak in terms of "saving innocent lives" for few of us are truly innocent. Yet, it is generally necessary for us to speak in those terms). My teacher, Nishijima Roshi, believes that some wars may be necessary merely for the general cause of protecting Western civilization, for civilization is a treasure of humankind affording peace, health, education and well-being to vast numbers of people. I agree with Nishijima Roshi, although I believe that Western civilization, in turn, must find better ways to spread the fruits of peace, health, education and well-being to everyone on this planet, and do a better job of spreading the benefits and protecting the world's resources. (Until we are all living in the equivalent of peaceful and prosperous Sweden!
)
So long as wars are necessary, the force used should be kept to a minimum and employed only after all reasonable alternatives. We need to think outside the box more, and try as a society to "kill with kindness" and "turn the other cheek" more before resorting to force. Non-deadly weapons should be developed by science and used where possible ... "Buddha-bombs". However, until such weapons are available, conventional weaponry is necessary. Soldiers should be honored for the role they play and their sacrifice for our benefit. As well, soldiers too should act as physicians administering a harsh and painful medicine out of need, and not with anger, hate, feelings of pleasure or revenge.
As my {Jundo's] personal belief ... we should continue research to identify the sections of the brain responsible for anger, hate, a desire for revenge ... and develop ways to neutralize those "in hospital" as an alternative to wars, bombings, torture, maximum security prisons and the like.
Mental neutralization of violence after trial by a jury of one's peers should be applied with the greatest care, much as the 'death penalty' or other serious punishments are now handed out with protections and care (although mistakes are made). However, we need to turn murderers, rapists, terrorists and the like into loving Bodhisattvas ...
whether they want to be or not!
I believe that it is possible for human beings to evolve to the point where we can live without excess desire, without anger, bigotry, jealousy, violence against our fellows, war. Someday, we will get there and realize a bit of the Pure Land in this world.
In a moment of Zazen, Good and Evil are forgotten ... and whether they exist in the "greater scheme of things" in the universe, well, we can leave that to God to say. In any case, truly Good and Evil exist in this world, as real as real can be, the moment we act in a good or evil way, through our own words, thoughts and actions. Good is that direction which avoids harm to self and others (not two, ultimately), seeking health and benefit to sentient beings. Evil is its mirror image. Most actions in this life have a mixture of good and evil effects, yet we must strive as we can to do good. What this world and life become is largely up to us, individually and as one people.
No, the taking of lives is not a good thing.
Gassho, Jundo
Originally Posted by anista
No, I didn't say that at all. I apologize deeply if this is how I came off.. Just kidding of course.
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