What does pacifism mean in Buddhism?
Peace and non-violence are central to Buddhism. The belief is that violence destroys inner peace and that without inner peace a Buddhist cannot reach enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth..
Nirvana
Nirvana is the spiritualRelating to the spirit or relating to sacred things. goal which Buddhists aim to achieve. Nirvana can be achieved by deep meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are., profound peace of mind and insight into the nature of existence. The belief is that Buddhists should therefore try to overcome all desires so as to be completely free from suffering. They become closer to Nirvana by following the Five PreceptsFive moral principles that are observed by Buddhists. and by not harming others:
Just as a mother would protect her only child even at risk of her own life, even so let one cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings. Let one’s thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world – above below and across – without any obstruction, without any hatred, without any enmity.
The Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned as the 14th Dalai LamaThe Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, and one of the most famous Buddhists in the world. and is now the Buddhist spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. As a Buddhist, the Dalai Lama refused to consider violence to defend his country.
He continues to work on peaceful solutions and was awarded the Nobel Peace PrizePrestigious international award given yearly for an outstanding contribution to peace. in 1989. The Dalai Lama refuses to use violence to free Tibet from the Chinese government because he believes in following Buddhist teachings of non-harm.
A man is not a great man because he is a warrior and kills living beings, but because he hurts no living thing. He is in truth a great man.
