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ForgivenessWhat does Hinduism teach about war and peace?

Many believe war is unavoidable when all attempts at peacemaking have failed, whereas some believe war is never right. Hindu perspectives on war and peace are based on principles of non-violence and duty.

Part of Religious StudiesGood and evil - Unit 1

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 teaches that it is important to follow . Therefore, it may be the duty of some Hindus, particularly those whose is , to fight wars. Hindu teaching includes the concept of 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 is also important to many Hindus. They may describe themselves as 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.

If you do not engage in this righteous battle then both your personal dharma and your honour will be destroyed, and you will accumulate sin.
Bhagavad Gita 2:33

This is the advice given to the character by God, in the form of . 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 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 teaching about war and violence:

I see neither bravery nor sacrifice in destroying life or property for offence or defence.
Mahatma Gandhi

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 can never be killed:

鈥tman is not killed when the body is killed鈥 certain is death for the born and certain is birth for the dead, so you need not grieve.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2

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 . Killing someone is not ending the existence of that atman, just ending one lifetime of many.