Ahimsa, War and Weapons

Overview

Recall questions on the class whose duty is to fight, how war can square with ahimsa, the rules governing conduct and their bearing on modern weapons.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Which class has the traditional duty to fight?

   Model answer

   The Kshatriyas, whose dharma is to protect the people.

2. 2

   How can fighting a war be consistent with ahimsa?

   Model answer

   Where an aggressor threatens the innocent, the failure of those charged with protection to act would itself cause greater harm, so a just war is treated as the fulfilment of duty.

3. 3

   Give three traditional rules governing conduct in war.

   Model answer

   Warriors may not attack the unarmed, the wounded or those fleeing, may not harm non-combatants, and may not use poisoned or barbed weapons.

4. 4

   What argument do some Hindus offer in favour of nuclear deterrence?

   Model answer

   They argue that a ruler has a duty to protect the people, and that holding such weapons without using them may prevent a war and so reduce harm overall.

5. 5

   Which weapon in the epics is used as a warning about ultimate weapons?

   Model answer

   The brahmastra, whose use brings devastation lasting for generations and whose deployment against the innocent is condemned in the story.

6. 6

   How did Gandhi understand ahimsa?

   Model answer

   He treated it as the highest duty and as an active force of love, requiring the refusal to harm even an enemy while resisting the wrong he does.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.