What does Hinduism teach about war and peace?
Opinion is divided amongst Hindus about war and the use of violence. On the one hand, the Bhagavad GitaThe Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered and important Hindu texts. The Gita tells the story of Krishna鈥檚 incarnation as a chariot driver to Prince Arjuna and forms part of the Mahabharata. teaches that it is important to follow dharmaThe duties a Hindu should follow in life.. Therefore, it may be the duty of some Hindus, particularly those whose varnaThe social divisions described in scripture as necessary for society to function properly, but used by some humans to justify a hierarchy in society. Sometimes called 'caste'. is KshatriyaA social class that in traditional Hindu society had the duty of protecting and leading others, and which includes royalty, politicians and armed forces., to fight wars. Hindu teaching includes the concept of karma/kammaActions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. or 'intentional action'. The Bhagavad Gita goes as far as to say it would be negative action not to fight in some cases.
However, the motive must be defence, or to protect the innocent and not to gain land, power, money or as an act of revenge or anger.
On the other hand, the principle of ahimsaThe Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh principle of total non-violence, in thoughts, words and actions. is also important to many Hindus. They may describe themselves as pacifistSomeone who is completely opposed to any kind of violence and will not participate in any aspect of war. and so refuse to fight in a war. In addition, many Hindus would agree that to kill or use violence is a bad action.
Different Hindus may have different beliefs, depending upon which teachings they follow most closely.
Dharma
For many Hindus, following dharma is one of the four aims in life. Traditionally, dharma of the Kshatriya varna was to protect people in their kingdom, using violence if necessary.
This is the advice given to the character Prince ArjunAn ancient Indian prince instructed by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. by God, in the form of Lord KrishnaThe Supreme Deity in human form; an avatar of Vishnu.. This is because as a Prince, it is Arjun's dharma to protect the people of his kingdom.
Other Hindu scriptures include the use of violence, killing by gods and goddesses to overcome evil and defend what is good. The mother figure of Durga MataOne of the female forms of the divine. Mata means mother. is shown carrying weapons and riding a tiger to show that when needed, she can fight like a tigress to protect the innocent.
Some Hindus would say it is the duty of everyone, regardless of varna, to protect the innocent as Durga does. If this means having to use force or fight, then that is a necessary and therefore acceptable form of evil.
Ahimsa
Some Hindus believe that violence in any form is wrong and a bad action, whether it be fighting in a war or harming a small living creature. Some Hindus follow Mahatma GandhiA Hindu who was given the title 'Mahatma', meaning 'great soul', because of his work for and commitment to equality and peace. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. teaching about war and violence:
Karma
Some Hindus believe that any violence or aggression from them will lead to them being a victim of violence, either in this or another life.
Reincarnation
Lord Krishna also convinces Prince Arjun to fight in the Bhagavad Gita by explaining that an atmanThe essence of a being. Can refer to body, mind or soul, depending on context, but usually indicates the soul that is reborn. can never be killed:
Some Hindus would say that as long as the motive for war is not gain but protection, killing others in battle is acceptable. Others, who follow the principle of ahimsa strictly, would say war is never acceptable.
Atman
The belief that atman is indestructible means that ending a life to protect others or in defence is acceptable for some Hindus. In addition to the teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, other scriptures also highlight that death is just part of the cycle of reincarnationThe religious belief that existence is a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth, and that the soul survives physical death and is reborn in a new body.. Killing someone is not ending the existence of that atman, just ending one lifetime of many.