Antecedents

Religious Traditions and Nonviolence

Asian traditions

• Hinduism• Buddhism• Jainism• Chinese traditions

Ahimsa

Hinduism Part 1

• No clear stance?• ‘Ahimsa sa paramo dharma’ – ‘Nonviolence is

the highest law’• Man striving for perfection• References in Hindu scriptures and Gods• Nonviolence in daily life• Karma

Hinduism Part 2

• Caste system and the Ksatriya• Bhaga Vadgita scripture• The ‘Mahabharata’, or ‘Just’ War• The realities of nonviolent principles in India

Buddhism

• Stemmed from Hinduism• Nonviolence as passive or active?• The First Precept of Buddhism -forbids the

taking of life • Zen and the manipulation of nonviolence in

Japan and China

Jainism

• Importance of nonviolence in scriptures• Committing violence against someone is

committing violence against oneself• Complete ahimsa as unattainable• Try to minimise, e.g. by wearing masks to stop

them inhaling insects• Anekantvad – acceptance of multiple

viewpoints

China – Confucianism & Taoism

• Is Confucianism a religion?• Confucius and the Analects – “If good men

were to administer the government for a hundred years, violence would be overcome”

• Teh – the virtue of not fighting• ‘The canon of the way and virtue’ – military

armament

Christian Movements and their influences

• Transforming power of early nonviolent Christian movement

• Cathars• Manichaeism• Waldensians• Taborites• Anabaptists• Quakers

Early Christian Teachings

• Simplicity of Jesus' message – treat others as you would like to be treated yourself

• Uncompromising, unconditional love• Determined love• Loyalty without military service• Christian soldiers• Constantine • Martyrs• Just war• Holy war

Judaism• Jewish Thought Modes –

• Long spiritually broad cultural Jewish experience with non-violence, prior to Jesus and the formation of Christainity

• Message of Non-Violence in Jewish Scriptures – unclear, contradictory? (Limits to what counts as ‘legitmate self-defence’ or ‘responsible intervention’)

• Doctrine of nonviolence reinforced by the brutality of state-based Christianity

• Development of Pacifism in Medieval Jewry

Jewish Thought Modes• Belief in ‘Messianic Age’ – age of peace, living in peace contributes to the Messiah’s coming

• History of the Zealots – efforts to use violence in the interest of God not blessed by God

• Violence in defence is prohibited – to warn off the suffering we “have coming” would be to interfere with Gods chastisement

• Suffering thought of as refining the spirit rather than as a punishment

• Mercy not rejoicing in the suffering of the guilty is a divine quality which humans should imitate

• To reconcile humans is to do the work of God

• Separate sinner from the sin – seek the adversary's wellbeing - curb your own evil drive

• Even in legitimate combat the enemies wellbeing is to be respected

“Do not to your next what you do not wish to be done to yourself”

• Jewish morality developed out of a sense of powerlessness

• Control of violence – Specific Jewish legal traditions, Halacha, mandates rules and limitations for the conduct of war

• Examples of Nonviolent resistance: Jewish opposition to Roman Rule

- Jews declared that they “gladly welcomed death rather than make bold to transgress the wise provisions of the law”

- “they neglected their fields even though this was the time to sow the seed. They showed a stubborn determination and readiness to die”

Quotes: Jewish Antiquities 18:55-59

Islam

• Root of word Islam: salam – peace• Islam incorporates and recognises other religions –

e.g.: takes much from Judaism, recognises Jesus but doesn't accept his divinity

• Islam founded by prophet Mohammad:– Troubled by growing materialism of his people– His attempt for perfect society in Mecca enforced a

complete ban on violence. As a result, Mecca became a perfect centre for trade.

– So violence is essential part of Mohammad’s teachings

Islam and Violence• Issues of violence came up after 662, when Mohammad moved his people from Mecca to Medina.• Mohammad had no interest in conquest and empire the same way that Constantine did.• However, Medina had to be defended when men from Mecca attacked Medina.• Medina had to be defended. Those after several major battles Islamic military history began.

Qur’an on Violence“Permission to take up arms is hereby given to

those who have been attacked because they have been wronged.”

• Mohammed had to defend Medina. However, the Qur’an did not allow pre-emptive strikes

• Wars of aggression are immoral and forbidden. Similarly, wars to spread the teachings of Islam are also not permitted.

• For this reason, 7th century Islamic warfare was justified on the grounds of defence. Objective was not to build an empire or spread Islam.

• Mohammed thought that God blessed those who took a nonviolent rather than a violent path.

Jihad

• The word jihad means fight against oppression, despotism and injustice.

• Jihad is an effort, a striving for justice and truth.• Jihad does not need to be violent. Its purpose is

to end structural violence.• Therefore, violence is not part of Islamic religion.

Although it is justified when Islam had to be defended, violence is and should never become and ends in itself.

Similarities and Differences

• They all preach nonviolence, but have actually engaged in violence in one form or another.

• Love of one’s enemy• Just war• Suffering• Violence as sin• Similarities between Asian traditions