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Buddhism and Military...

I read with great interest on a recent post on E-Sangha, a buddhist web portal for all things about Buddhism. This post was posted by a person who is in the military service. He asked if as he is going to a be Buddhist, is it right to be in the military service, knowing that one day, he will be ordered to defend and kill.

Replies to this post was interesting and references were made on Buddhist sutras and opinions from Venerable teachers. It got me thinking, Is Military career a right kind of livelihood? Then I recalled a zen story about a general, who was a Buddhist and he was plagued by this question... Should he kill an enemy or should he not?

His answer came as he pondered long enough, I am a General, appointed by the Emperor to defend, uphold and protect my country and people. I am bound by my duty. Therefore, I must do what I have to do...

With that, his mind became at ease again...

I asked a wise person, why some people chose to have this destiny. The wise one looked to me and asked, 'Why do you have to do what you are doing now?', I thought about it...  I couldn't figure out why,
The wise one replied ' It's because of Karma, your destiny is like this...'.

Little imperfections that makes them perfect...Remember this...

I was deeply moved by this and I hope you will help spread this across...