Hinduism and war
Hinduism is a label that covers a wide range of Indian religious groups. While there are many differences between the various traditions they have a great deal in common.
Like most religions Hinduism includes both teachings that condemn violence and war, and teachings that promote it as a moral duty.
The teachings that condemn violence are contained in the doctrine of ahimsa, while those that permit it centre around the Kshatriyas - the warrior caste.
Self-defence
Hindus believe that it is right to use force in self-defense
May your weapons be strong to drive away the attackers,
may your arms be powerful enough to check the foes,
let your army be glorious, not the evil-doer.
Rig Veda 1-39:2
The conduct of war
The Rig Veda sets down the rules of war at 6-75:15, and says that a warrior will go to hell if he breaks any of them.
do not poison the tip of your arrow
do not attack the sick or old
do not attack a child or a woman
do not attack from behind
Arjuna
A key teaching is contained in the story of Arjuna. Arjuna was about to go into battle when he discovered many of his relatives and friends were on the opposing side. Arjuna didn't want to kill people he loved, but was persuaded to do so by Krishna.
Krishna tells Arjuna that he should fight, for the following reasons:
"it is his duty - his dharma - to fight because he was born a warrior
he was born a member of a warrior caste and his duty to his caste and the divine structure of society are more important than his personal feelings"
"violence only affects the body and cannot harm the soul, so killing is not a fault and there is no reason for Arjuna not to kill people, nor should he be sorry for those he has killed
behind this lies the Eastern idea that life and death are part of an illusion, and that the spiritual is what matters"
Hinduism is a label that covers a wide range of Indian religious groups. While there are many differences between the various traditions they have a great deal in common.
Like most religions Hinduism includes both teachings that condemn violence and war, and teachings that promote it as a moral duty.
The teachings that condemn violence are contained in the doctrine of ahimsa, while those that permit it centre around the Kshatriyas - the warrior caste.
Self-defence
Hindus believe that it is right to use force in self-defense
May your weapons be strong to drive away the attackers,
may your arms be powerful enough to check the foes,
let your army be glorious, not the evil-doer.
Rig Veda 1-39:2
The conduct of war
The Rig Veda sets down the rules of war at 6-75:15, and says that a warrior will go to hell if he breaks any of them.
do not poison the tip of your arrow
do not attack the sick or old
do not attack a child or a woman
do not attack from behind
Arjuna
A key teaching is contained in the story of Arjuna. Arjuna was about to go into battle when he discovered many of his relatives and friends were on the opposing side. Arjuna didn't want to kill people he loved, but was persuaded to do so by Krishna.
Krishna tells Arjuna that he should fight, for the following reasons:
"it is his duty - his dharma - to fight because he was born a warrior
he was born a member of a warrior caste and his duty to his caste and the divine structure of society are more important than his personal feelings"
"violence only affects the body and cannot harm the soul, so killing is not a fault and there is no reason for Arjuna not to kill people, nor should he be sorry for those he has killed
behind this lies the Eastern idea that life and death are part of an illusion, and that the spiritual is what matters"
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