Buddhist Ethics: A Very Short Introduction by Damien Keown

Author:Damien Keown [Keown, Damien]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Religion, buddhism, General, Comparative Religion, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Business & Economics, Business Ethics, Medical, Ethics, Science, Philosophy & Social Aspects
ISBN: 9780191577949
Google: HJlfkaqRGgMC
Amazon: B00Y2RAM2I
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Published: 2005-06-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

War and terrorism

The last century proved to be one of the bloodiest in history. War on a scale never before seen caused untold destruction and loss of life. Sadly, the present century has also begun on a belligerent note. The terrible events of 11 September 2001 in New York brought home to the world the awesome damage that can be inflicted by well-trained and coordinated terrorists who act without fear for their own lives.

In the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center, President Bush took the view that the battle had to be taken to the terrorists and that the safety of the world depended upon the capture and punishment of those responsible. Vowing that ‘justice will be done’, he played a leading part in organizing a coalition of nations that sent troops first of all to Afghanistan to fight the fundamentalist Taliban regime which was thought to be harbouring Osama bin Laden, and also in launching operation ‘Iraqi Freedom’ in March 2003.

Was President Bush right to respond the way he did, by choosing to fight fire with fire and following the path of aggression? Opinion around the world was divided, even in those countries whose governments supported the fight against terror. Large protest marches were organized by groups who opposed the war. Those manifesting opposition included many Buddhists and Buddhist organizations. On which Buddhist teaching was their opposition to the war based? Is Buddhism categorically opposed to war, or does it depend on the nature of the conflict? Can there be a ‘just war’ according to Buddhism, and what is the appropriate response for Buddhists in the face of outrages such as 9/11?

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