Are Buddhists allowed to defend themselves or their families?

zbeckabee

Here's ONE take on the subject: 1. Monks in NO conditions are allowed to kill (or act as apposed to the ten percepts) which means: They are not allowed to defend themselves or their families (father, mother, sister or brother) against the murderers. They are not allowed to defend their country (If another country attacks their country, they only sit and watch or maybe also feel sorry for the people who have been killed.) 2. Lay people are in different conditions. Their actions on this matter (self-defense) can be optional. This means that if they want to be completely free from pain, they should kill nobody in any condition. (For example if a killer comes to his/her house and wants to kill him/her or his/her mother, if he/she wants to be free from pain (or reach nirvana), he/she should not defend him/her self or his/her mother.) But if they are ready to tolerate different pains, they are allowed to defend themselves or their countries. Because kamma will punish them for defending their family or their country. This link also has some related "interpretations": http://en.allexperts.com/q/Buddhists-948/Self-Defense-Buddhism-1.htm Aug 03 08, 1:01 PM

satguru

You beat me to it by seconds there! I found the same thing and a very detailed article here http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/buddhistethics/war.shtml Aug 03 08, 1:04 PM