Introduction
1.1 Reasons for Choosing The Topic of Nonviolence (Ahimsa): The World in Crisis of War and Violence (Himsa) The current global context in mid-2024 (twenty-first century) is unfolding in an extremely complex manner, with many instability, contradictions, grievances, hatred, and increasing disagreements. This has escalated armed wars, and violent massacres (himsa), with serious escalations like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel-Hamas, and the civil war in Yemen involving the Houthis, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and many other places. Lack of love, compassion, respect, and generosity leads to "the stacked fire of conflict and hatred" potentially spreading across entire regions. The world order is in jeopardy, with many painful consequences including a high number of innocent civilian casualties. According to Al Jazeera, in the Hamas-Israel conflict alone, there were at least 36,224 fatalities, including over 15,000 children, and more than 81,777 injuries. The United Nations and many countries worldwide are calling for an end to conflicts, promoting humanitarian efforts, peace solutions, and ceasefires, yet effectiveness has been limited. 1.2 Nonviolence is The Key to Resolving The Crisis of Violence The term "nonviolence" (ahimsa) signifies the virtue of "non-harming." advocating for the non-use of physical force and instead employing methods of peaceful negotiation (ahimsa) or gentle acts of compassion when interacting with all individuals, living beings, groups, communities, or nations worldwide. This is one of the prominent virtues in Indian religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, and in the modern era of the twentieth century, many political figures have also embraced this spirit of nonviolence in their struggles for independence or against social injustices, such as Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956), Bodhisattva Thích Quang Duc (1897-1963), Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) Qhimja Peace in oneself Peace in the world Nonviolence is the building block Peace for us and the world. (Image: Master Thich Nhat Hanh) In this article, I propose to discuss the teachings of the Buddha on nurturing the spirit of nonviolence and non-harming (ahimsa) based on compassion and wisdom. Additionally, I will explore the application of this nonviolent struggle spirit by King Aśoka (ancient times) and modern saints like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Bodhisattva Thich Quang Duc, Martin Luther King Jr. in their effective efforts through dialogue and action to end conflicts, social injustices, religious oppression, and to restore peace to the community at large.
About The Author
Dr. Bhikkhuni Giới Hương (world name Sünyata Phạm) was born in 1963 in Binh Tuy, Vietnam and ordained at the age of fifteen under the great master, the Most Venerable Bhikkhuni Hải Triều Âm. In 1994, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Literature from Sài Gòn University. She studied in India for ten years and in 2003, graduated with a PhD in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Delhi, India. In 2005, she settled down in the United States and in 2015, she earned a second Bachelor's Degree in Literature at the University of Riverside, California. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in the Master of Arts Program at the University of California, Riverside and works as a lecturer at the Vietnam Buddhist University in HCM City. She favors quietly reflecting on Dharma, and that leads her to write, as well as translate, Buddhist books and lyrics for music albums on her Bảo Anh Lạc Bookshelf. In 2000, she established Hương Sen Temple, Bình Chánh, Sài Gòn, Việt Nam. In 2010, she founded Hương Sen Temple in Perris, California, USA, where she serves as abbess.
About The Book
AHIMSA AND THE DEATH PENALTY If someone is sick, Buddhism strives to cure the person of the illness rather than destroy the person carrying the disease. Buddhism views criminals as individuals with mental issues combined with ignorance (avijja).
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