Is there a way to wage a peaceful war founded on love, kindness, compassion, and equanimity?
We came across this interesting piece of work by David Schmidt on a much more timely topic. Enjoy and feel free to comment your opinion.
War seems to be on everyone’s lips lately with all of the violence that’s happening in Syria.
The thing I find fascinating is how the media can focus all of our attention on whatever hot topic they choose. I would imagine very few of us are currently discussing the ethnic cleansing, genocide, and other human atrocities that are currently taking place in so many other parts of the world. This is not to negate those that are happening right here on U.S. soil.
Perhaps our minds have a limited capacity for human suffering, and the media helps us to focus our attention on one spot, thereby eliminating the need for any of us to have complete awareness and understanding (sati-sampajañña).
Likely we can all agree that war is not that answer and offers no good result for anyone, save the financial interests of a select few. And what a grave price we all pay for those financial gains that benefit a handful of governments and military contractors. Yes, war is big business for some, and can create billions of dollars in profits. And while we might all feel this is so sad and wrong, it is an inescapable truth.
In the Buddhist practice, our entire focus is on peace, loving-kindness, harmony, and equanimity. And no war has ever been waged with these intentions as their foundation and motivation. But this world is a diverse place with so many different people, policies, traditions, and beliefs. And our loving intentions cannot simply make entire nations put an end to war. This then begs the question of what the Right Action is when we become aware of others being harmed and killed.
I believe that a proper beginning is to look close to home for the answers. Imagine that your neighbour across the street was being attacked by a gang of thugs. Would any of us sit idly by and watch the family beaten and killed? No, of course, we would act and act promptly! Some of us might go there ourselves to save and protect them. Others may call 911 and allow the police to intervene and save this family. But regardless of which choice, we would take action from a heart of goodwill and lovingkindness. And because it is right there in front of us, the compassion and empathy we would feel would likely be extremely powerful.
But if this same attack was happening a block away, and we heard about it from a friend, what action would we take if any? And if this occurred in the neighbouring town or village, would our connection be lessened and dull us to the atrocity that is taking place?
Then again, I have heard too often in the news about some poor woman being attacked, beaten, or even raped, while onlookers did nothing. And sadly this has happened far too often here and abroad. Human beings seem to be able to disconnect from horrific acts by simply thinking that it is not their business.
So I wonder if being “A protector for those without protection” is not only that which should be a foundation of our practice, but also just a basic function of human compassion. This is not anything that we can delegate to another; it is within ourselves that we must look to understand this.
I have to question whether there is ever a justifiable reason for war, and more importantly, if there is a way to wage a peaceful war founded in love, kindness, compassion, and equanimity—one that holds no personal agenda, desires, or greed, but is solely for peace and harmony. Does this seem impossible to you, like a pipe dream? I’m not so sure. Perhaps this is the war that we all wage with ourselves every day.
