hopelessromantic on Nostr: Buddhist Warfare Nobody from the western world would expect to see a monk holding a ...

Buddhist Warfare

Nobody from the western world would expect to see a monk holding a gun. Our perception of the buddhist religion is that they are peaceful. We associate it with meditation and quiet monasteries. So why are these monks playing with toy guns?

In the book "Buddhist warfare" by Michael K. Jerryson he talked about the disturbing rise of figureheads within the community that have less-than peaceful motives. This goes back 40 years so to explain in the most simple way possible, buddhism in parts of East Asia are heavily tied to nationalism. Which has lead to the religion having a level of influence in government. This coupled with land loss and displacement for muslims in the area lead to huge tensions. Eventually, violence. Attacks that I can't go into too much detail here. This lead to an increase in paranoia and extr*mism took hold. Buddhist monks became more enveloped in the idea of protecting themselves and arming their citizens

So, kids playing with toy guns can be seen as relatively innocent but it shows a shift in their morals and attitude.
Straying further away from the teachings of peace from Buddha