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Buddhism: Religion, Peace and Conflict

Buddhist teachings on violence and non-harm

  • 3 things to know
  • Component Group 2

Overview

The First Precept, Dhammapada 129–130 and Dhammapada 5 on hatred, the Sangama Sutta, why violence breeds violence, force against an attacker, intention, and teachings applied by individuals and communities.

What you need to know

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Key term

What forms of violence do Buddhists recognise, and how does the First Precept apply?

Key term

Why do Buddhists believe violence breeds violence, and how do they avoid it?

Key term

How have Buddhist teachings on violence shaped society, and when might force be allowed?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What forms of violence do Buddhists recognise?

    Model answer

    Buddhists recognise violence of body, speech and mind. Harsh words and hateful thoughts are forms of harm as well as physical attacks.

  2. 2

    How does the First Precept apply to violence?

    Model answer

    The First Precept commits Buddhists to refrain from harming living beings. Buddhists see any intentional violence as unskilful and a source of bad kamma.

  3. 3

    What do Dhammapada 129–130 teach about violence?

    Model answer

    All beings tremble at violence and fear death, and all love life. Seeing others as oneself, a person should neither kill nor cause others to kill.

  4. 4

    What does Dhammapada 5 teach about hatred?

    Model answer

    Hatred is never ended by hatred but only by non-hatred. The Buddha called this an eternal law.

  5. 5

    What does the Sangama Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya 3:15) teach about violence?

    Model answer

    King Pasenadi defeated King Ajatasattu in battle but spared his life. The Buddha taught that the plunderer is plundered in turn, and the killer finds a killer.

  6. 6

    How do Buddhists explain why violence breeds more violence?

    Model answer

    Violent acts plant seeds of hatred in both victim and attacker. Kamma ensures that violence returns to the one who uses it.

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