Someone attending an interfaith event on violence
emailed to as about the Buddhist perspective of the subject.
This was my reply:
There is much to say on this… which can be googled online.
Some short thoughts on violence…
Violence does not bring peace but keeps it at bay.
To handle the very violent who might otherwise harm many,
violence should still be the last resort,
while we should do our best to understand and transform the violent.
As the Buddha taught in the Dhammapada…
Hatred can never be ceased by hatred.
Hatred can only be ceased with love.
This is an eternal law.
Thus, even if violence has to be unfortunately used,
it should not be with hatred, but with love,
for the greater good of all involved.