223 - Political and Personal Violence is Not the Way

[Jundo]

More violence in America, a political assassination, another school shooting, amid other reports less noticed of violence and murder there and around the world.

Killing in anger is not the Way. Weapons must not be used in anger. They are not the way to resolve political differences or personal differences.

Violence should not be used for political ends or personal dispute, for they bring chaos, further violence in response. One can so easily convince oneself that violence is the answer, that it is justified, but it rarely is.

Perhaps violence is necessary in protection of life, when someone is forced into the tragic necessity of taking a human life to protect a human life or lives, a last resort to preserve the safety of the innocent or maybe societal peace. Even then, it must be unavoidable, no other means available, the necessity clear. No matter the justification, it is to be regretted, mourned, and feared.

Violence is not a way to bring change in society, or in one's town, family or own life or psyche. Violence will lead to further destruction before it leads to real solutions and healing.

May we turn toward a society without violence against human beings, without hate and hate speech, anger and angry actions.

We are inspired by Dhammapada Verse 223:
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Gassho, J
stlah

[Mujin]

Thank you for these words Teacher. America is becoming more and more a country I no longer recognize. It has become a country of two extremes, with no centrist ideology to hold things together. In a Buddhist sense, they have lost the Middle Way.
There is no serious regard to the mental health crisis growing here. Weapons dont wield themselves. Technology, I dare say, is doing more harm than good.
One can only wonder how much higher the body count has to get before people here wake from their stupor.

Gassho,

Mujin

SatTodayLAH

[Chikyou]

Thank you for these words Teacher. America is becoming more and more a country I no longer recognize. It has become a country of two extremes, with no centrist ideology to hold things together. In a Buddhist sense, they have lost the Middle Way.
There is no serious regard to the mental health crisis growing here. Weapons dont wield themselves. Technology, I dare say, is doing more harm than good.
One can only wonder how much higher the body count has to get before people here wake from their stupor.

Gassho,

Mujin

SatTodayLAH

I remember when school shootings just weren’t a thing. I was in middle school when the first one happened. Very few people back then guessed that this would become a regular occurrence. Certainly I didn’t. There are many kids in school now, and some even entering adulthood, who don’t remember what it was like to not see a school shooting on the news at least once a month.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō

[Junsho]

Your words moved me, Roshi. In recent years, we've witnessed a concerning rise in violence, including murders and attempted homicides, driven by political motivations. Reflecting on the past five years, several tragic incidents stand out:

- **Charlie Kirk (USA, September 10, 2025)** — A passionate pro-Trump conservative activist, Charlie was shot during a university event in Utah, leaving his community in shock.
- **Miguel Uribe Turbay (Colombia, August 11, 2025)** — A dedicated conservative senator, Miguel was shot at a rally on June 7, 2025, and sadly succumbed to his injuries. His loss is felt widely in Colombian society.
- **Shinzo Abe (Japan, July 8, 2022)** — The former Prime Minister was grievously shot while delivering a campaign speech, a moment that shook the nation and beyond.
- **Sir David Amess (United Kingdom, October 15, 2021)** — A caring Conservative Member of Parliament, Sir David was brutally stabbed while engaging with his constituents, a reminder of the fragility of public service.
- **Jovenel Moïse (Haiti, July 7, 2021)** — The president was tragically assassinated in his own residence, leaving a nation in mourning and uncertainty.
- **Alexei Navalny (Russia, February 16, 2024)** — An opposition leader and vocal critic of the current regime, Alexei's death in prison has raised suspicions of political foul play and left many asking for justice.

Furthermore, numerous threats have been made against other political figures, including Bolsonaro, Trump, and Heinrich Koch, adding to the growing sense of unease.

As a Buddhist student, I typically refrain from discussing political matters. Yet, it is difficult to overlook the distressing trends of warfare, totalitarianism, censorship, and upheaval—manifested recently in the violent riots in Nepal stemming from corruption scandals. These events highlight the troubling times we face, driven by greed, anger, and ignorance, often cloaked in ideologies that divide us rather than unite us.

Witnessing such turmoil is disheartening. I hold close to my heart the hope for a more harmonious world, one filled with karuna (compassion), metta (loving-kindness), upekkha (equanimity), and mudita (sympathetic joy).

Gassho!
SatLah

[Onki]

So much violence is happening in the world right now. I wanted to speak a little about violence towards the LGBTQ community, mainly trans folks.

Here in Canada (as far as I know), every province has its own legislations. There are parts of Canada where trans people are safer and have more protection such as British Columbia. Even here in Ontario, most cities are accepting. However, this is not the case in the province where I was born and grew up in: Alberta.

I have heard Alberta is creating laws against trans people as well as teaching sexual education. Recently, a bill has passed prohibiting gender affirming care for trans people. This in and of itself is going to create devastating results for trans youth in particular.

Violence against trans people has sadly become “normal.” Major news outlets letting us know who the latest trans victim of violence is.

And for what?

How does a transgender person affect you? How does a person living as their authentic self, their authentic life as who they have always been, do to you?

I’ll tell you what it does to you.

Nothing.

It has absolutely nothing to do with you. All of this needless violence and hatred against people that bleed the same blood as you? For what?

The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred, and Ignorance are in full effect.

In saying this, there are those who are accepting, loving, and fighting for trans rights on the front lines against hate. There are communities, groups, families, even those in power, standing up.

There needs to be more acceptance and inclusivity for trans folks in this world. We are all sentient beings. We are all connected.

Gasshō,

On

[Shinkon]

So much violence and hate flies around lately that its hard to stay centered which is why I removed my self from that one situation and recited the robe chant until I calmed down. I didn't engage. i glared at four individuals that agreed and stated that people like me, my daughter and son, friends, and colleagues should be deported or worse. Lately, there's even talk of camps. Those already exist as 'illegal' immigrant holding facilities.
Physical may not be the answer. However, I think the time is ripe for the parrhesiast - a person that speaks truth to power.
So, when we are asked what we think, the truth should come out.
I participated in many organized protest campaigns and some marches in the past. Sometimes they have effect. Most of the time, I felt like Sisyphus.
I truly wish all beings peace and relief from suffering.

gassho,
shinkon
satlah

[Kojitsu]

Sometimes I wonder if other people in different countries from my own understand how bad the violence can be in the USA. I saw this website on someone's post earlier today and it was quite shocking to see it shown in just data.

https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/

It hurts the heart.

st/lah
gassho
kojitsu

[ssalamena]

My first teacher is from Myanmar, during the saffron revolution many of his Dharma brothers were facing the brutal military repression.
Lots of us went to his temple in the UK to support him and his Sangha.

At the beginning of the meditation session he said: "Let's all practice Metta for the Burmese army".

He also said that whenever we want to destroy our enemy we become like them.

I will never forget this.

Gassho and metta to all.
Sat lah

[Chikyou]

So much violence is happening in the world right now. I wanted to speak a little about violence towards the LGBTQ community, mainly trans folks.

Here in Canada (as far as I know), every province has its own legislations. There are parts of Canada where trans people are safer and have more protection such as British Columbia. Even here in Ontario, most cities are accepting. However, this is not the case in the province where I was born and grew up in: Alberta.

I have heard Alberta is creating laws against trans people as well as teaching sexual education. Recently, a bill has passed prohibiting gender affirming care for trans people. This in and of itself is going to create devastating results for trans youth in particular.

Violence against trans people has sadly become “normal.” Major news outlets letting us know who the latest trans victim of violence is.

And for what?

How does a transgender person affect you? How does a person living as their authentic self, their authentic life as who they have always been, do to you?

I’ll tell you what it does to you.

Nothing.

It has absolutely nothing to do with you. All of this needless violence and hatred against people that bleed the same blood as you? For what?

The Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred, and Ignorance are in full effect.

In saying this, there are those who are accepting, loving, and fighting for trans rights on the front lines against hate. There are communities, groups, families, even those in power, standing up.

There needs to be more acceptance and inclusivity for trans folks in this world. We are all sentient beings. We are all connected.

Gasshō,

On

Thank you for this Onki.

I have to say, I’m not used to being this much of a target. LGBTQ people have been a target for as long as I’ve been alive and much longer before that, but actively having the threat of laws passed against me is a new one. To be hugely, PUBLICLY a target is an experience that I’m not going to forget any time soon.

Gassho,
SatLah,
Chikyō