A Comment on the Situation in Israel-Palestine: We must consider new ways ...

[Jundo]

Dear All,

Sadly, another day, another tragic war in the news, filled with reports of atrocities, the deaths of children, cruelty.

Such days will continue until human nature changes, such that human beings would no more harm other human beings and their children than they would harm their own children. This is not a matter of "who is right, who is wrong," but rather, all hate, all oppression, all callousness must be stopped on both sides, replaced by tolerance, caring and love.

The only way, I believe, is to increase human empathy toward others, even strangers, just as one would feel empathy for the pain of one's own mother or brother. The potential harm doer must truly feel, in his or her heart, the suffering he or she is about to inflict on another by gun or bomb. People must be left physically repulsed at the very thought of doing harm to others. Under such conditions, a war like this would be impossible, as would the hate or oppression of one people by another that is at the base of this conflict.

For 2500 years, Buddhism has proposed such a goal for humankind, a goal shared by pacifist voices of other religions and humanitarians of many philosophies. Sadly, all our prayers and preaching, reasoning and condemning have done little to truly change the animalistic, selfish, angry, violent human nature that is at the root of these evils. The means available centuries ago were simply insufficient for such a task on a wide scale (even if helping countless individuals one by one.) Now, ancient Buddhist Wisdom and Compassion is to be summoned through new means.

No longer empty words, no longer but a dream. This is the new path of Zen Buddhism and all Buddhism looking ahead, assuming that we truly wish to end the greed, anger, jealousy, resentments, selfishness and other divided thoughts in ignorance that are the poisoned root of all this.

For the first time, we can bring peace in this world, limit selfishness, increase charity and empathy, by changing human nature. New means are becoming available, whereby no more children need suffer and cry, like the children of Israel and Gaza tonight.

I will preach this message more and more in the coming days, months and years, because I believe it is the only answer to this violence, and to a score of other deadly problems which face humankind today. I have various proposals and notions to share, perhaps right and perhaps wrong, but worthy of discussion I feel. I believe that this is the new path for Buddhism's mission in rescue of the suffering sentient beings.

We must change our ways of working toward peace and love, because the key to unlock peace and love is to be found in changing the human heart and mind. This is in keeping with the Buddha's teachings of peace.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Jundo]

Some folks ask what I would propose. Perhaps I am naive, a dreamer. However, I believe strongly that, rather than bombs as we have today which kill, dismember, disfigure, burn, widow and orphan both combatants and civilians caught in the way (all involuntarily on the battlefield) it is ethical to develop weapons which (just as involuntarily on the battlefield) bring empathy, fidelity, love. Is it a dream, is it madness? I would say that the killing, dismembering and disfiguring are the true madness. I would say that such weapons are now within the realm of possibility given our present state of technology. I write about it here, commenting on war in whimsical style, in my "Building the Future Buddha" book ...

Call me mad, call me naive, but I would say that the world today is what is mad, and peace by any means is sanity ...

~~~

[I]t is possible that such technologies will be sanctioned for the battlefield too, as non-lethal alternatives to blowing our enemies to smithereens. If wars will happen despite all our wishes for peace, what then is the better road, the most humane way? Should we do as we do now, dropping explosives and napalm, killing and crippling enemy combatants plus whatever unfortunate civilians happen to get in the way? Or should our armies truly turn into peacemakers and peacekeepers, whose primary “weapons” of first choice consist of substances, launched as "Maitreya Missiles" or heavily armed “Kannon Balls,” with her 1000 arms of caring, which make an enemy simply unwilling to fight, filled instead with empathy toward all others, feelings of fraternity and even love? Adversary generals and leaders could be tamed by snipers, not working as assassins, but as assuagers. Our future Putins and Pol Pots might be shot full of mercy and kindness. How is rendering the enemy incapable of combat in such way any worse, and not better, than slaughtering platoons and companies and children in cold blood? And if these “heart ♡ attacks” are used by both sides against each other, is not the result still good: two opposing sides who will not attack each other, but instead, be so filled with brotherly concern that they will seek to work out their differences and somehow find a way? Rather than a button pushed sending atomic ICBMs flying, Inter-Continental Benevolence Missiles will bring, not nuclear winter, but a springtime of mutually assured mass pacification!

...

No more Putin-esque wars because even our Putins will be peaceniks.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Jundo]

I also propose that now there is, for the first time in history, a real chance for the development of such pacifiers, and that if so, we Buddhists can and should begin to demand and support their development. We should support the start of real debate about the ethics of their use too.

This is not 50+ years ago, during the Vietnam War, when one first heard talk of "Love Bombs" and the like. The advent of AI, combined with understanding of human biology and the triggers of our ugliest drives, now make such medical means a real possibility.

If we Buddhists truly wish to save the children on the battlefield, replacing carnage with caring, then this is quickly becoming a realistic option. However, there are important ethical considerations to consider. The following is from the Annex to my book, under draft. Nonetheless, while there are grave concerns about their misuse (not unlike how there are grave concerns about the misuse of any automatic rifle, incendiary bomb, rocket or airplane loaded with nuclear weapons ... and those, apparently, are "acceptable" in the world of modern warfare), the "ethical considerations" in favor of their use far outweigh the "ethical considerations" of the use of weapons which today kill, dismember, disfigure, burn, widow and orphan both combatants and civilians, if you ask me.

Are there possibilities for “peace weapons”? Could there be involuntarily released "peace weapons" on general populations?


1. Historical context: The concept of "peace weapons" isn't new. Historically, various agents have been researched or suggested as potential non-lethal or incapacitating agents that could be used to subdue or control populations. These agents are often grouped under the category of "calmatives."

2. Pharmacological Agents: There are various substances that can sedate, tranquilize, or alter mood. These could theoretically be used as "peace weapons." For instance, benzodiazepines are sedative agents used medically for anxiety, seizures, and other conditions.
Reference: Wax, P. M. (1999). Elixirs, diluents, and the passage of the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Annals of Internal Medicine, 130(7), 585–590.

3. Ethical Concerns and International Law: Using any kind of agent, even if non-lethal, against a civilian population or on the battlefield without consent is a violation of international law. The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the use of toxic chemicals and their precursors, except where intended for purposes not prohibited under the Convention.
Reference: Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (2020). The Chemical Weapons Convention: At a Glance

4. Medical Consequences: Even if such agents are deemed non-lethal, they can still have unpredictable effects, especially when used on a diverse population with varying health conditions. The consequences can be severe, and people could still get hurt or die, especially if they have unknown allergies or health conditions or are on medications that interact poorly with the agent.
Reference: Zajtchuk, R., & Bellamy, R. F. (1997). Medical aspects of chemical and biological warfare in The Textbook of Military Medicine

5. Potential Misuse: The development of such "peace weapons" could lead to their misuse by oppressive regimes, terrorist groups, or even within civilian populations for crowd control or dissent suppression, leading to significant ethical and humanitarian concerns.
Reference: Coupland, R. M. (2003). The place of non-lethal weapons in the spectrum of conflict Medicine, Conflict, and Survival, 19(3), 205-215.

In summary, while the theoretical potential for "peace weapons" exists, ethical, medical, legal, and humanitarian concerns make their development and use highly controversial and problematic.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Guest]

A Comment on the Situation in Israel-Palestine: We must consider new ways ...

Hello Roshi,

First let me say I thank you for sharing your thoughts, ideas and opinions on this.

It truly has made me think and consider things in the realm of violence and warfare that I never have before.

I need to sit with this, and as of now I am neither agreeing or disagreeing, because there is a lot to unpack here. But I do have a few questions if I may. And I know a couple of these you have touched on and I appreciate you saying that this is a debate that needs to start in the Buddhist community.

I humbly ask:

1) Is a weapon not exactly what it is, a weapon? Whether it be bullets or love and peace being shot out of the barrel so to speak?

2) Would this not be used on a population of people against their will and should we be doing something against a populations will whatever that populations intent might be?

3) As it seems to be done throughout history with weapons and war, could this most likely be used to suppress or oppress a population of people under another’s authority?

And I apologize if you feel you have already answered these and I feel perhaps you have. I guess I am looking for more conversation on this topic with these questions. Like I had said, just a lot to unpack here.

Thank you [emoji120]

Gassho,
Kaiku
SatTodayLAH


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[Jundo]

Hi Kaiku,

1) Is a weapon not exactly what it is, a weapon?

I dare say that something which brings friendship, compassion, love, caring, tolerance and peace is not a "weapon" which kills, dismembers, burns, disfigures, leaving widows and orphans in its wake.

Even the basic dictionary definition (Oxford) of "weapon" makes the difference clear: "weapon = a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage."

2) Would this not be used on a population of people against their will and should we be doing something against a populations will whatever that populations intent might be?

It should not be used on populations or individuals against their will, except to the extent that the alternative is to shoot, bomb, burn, dismember, disfigure, kill, widow and orphan both soldiers and "collateral damage" civilians against their will. If automatic rifles, incendiary bombs, rockets, military drones and missiles are "involuntary" on a battlefield (and what we first reach for in combat today, so apparently "acceptable" in modern society as a necessary evil), then these are "involuntary" in precisely the same way in battlefield situations.

3) As it seems to be done throughout history with weapons and war, could this most likely be used to suppress or oppress a population of people under another’s authority?

Yes, it could. But any tool or weapon ... a knife, drone, chlorine, gun powder, an airplane, nuclear energy ... can be used for good or for harm and misuse. If the technological ability to do these things is coming anyway, cannot be stopped (I believe that the case), then the only question is how to prevent their misuse, and how to make sure they are used for good, to solve some problems in this world ... like preventing more crying or destroyed children on battlefields.

Gassho, Jundo

stlah

[Guest]

Thank you Jundo. [emoji120]

This topic has truly affected me in a deep way. And has made me consider things in practice that I never have.

I am going to sit with all of this. I appreciate your words on all of this very much.

Many bows.

Gassho
Kaiku
SatTodayLAH


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Koriki]

I can see the desirability of using some kind of pharmaceutical agent on the battlefield to alter the course of a battle. Legally, there are treaties against using chemical weapons that would be problematic. Additionally, it would be likely that any kind of chemical agent would eventually be rebuffed with some sort of counter agent or other form of protection.
Certainly tempting to want to spray MDMA or other psychedelics onto an enemy to create empathy and confusion (and comedy), but again it would be chemical weapon. Interestingly, the use of psychedelics in the treatment of depression and PTSD may indirectly have benefit. Part of that very controlled treatment (therapist present in a safe space) seems to count on an empathogenic response from the patient in which they often feel a deep connection to all of mankind that can continue to some extent outside of the session. Perhaps if it really is an effective treatment and gets put into more common use it can have a beneficial side effect on our society after a period of time.

Gassho,

Koriki
s@

[Jundo]

Thank you Jundo. [emoji120]

This topic has truly affected me in a deep way. And has made me consider things in practice that I never have.

I am going to sit with all of this. I appreciate your words on all of this very much.

Remember that this does not take away, in any sense, from our traditional practice of Zazen and the Precepts!

I am just thinking "outside the box" about ways to save the lost children of Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Sudan, and 1000 other violent lands.

I can see the desirability of using some kind of pharmaceutical agent on the battlefield to alter the course of a battle. Legally, there are treaties against using chemical weapons that would be problematic. Additionally, it would be likely that any kind of chemical agent would eventually be rebuffed with some sort of counter agent or other form of protection.
Certainly tempting to want to spray MDMA or other psychedelics onto an enemy to create empathy and confusion (and comedy), but again it would be chemical weapon. Interestingly, the use of psychedelics in the treatment of depression and PTSD may indirectly have benefit. Part of that very controlled treatment (therapist present in a safe space) seems to count on an empathogenic response from the patient in which they often feel a deep connection to all of mankind that can continue to some extent outside of the session. Perhaps if it really is an effective treatment and gets put into more common use it can have a beneficial side effect on our society after a period of time.

Ethical uses must be debated, treaties can be rewritten. Weapons can always have counter-weapons. I think that AI and other modern means of medical discovery will soon, quickly, have our abilities taking a leap in this field beyond the means we have now.

I simply think that, whatever the "ethics," the balance must surpass the "ethics" of this:

“Children are paying the heaviest price as violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory escalates”


As the escalation in Israel and Gaza intensifies, the number of children caught up in the violence is soaring. At least 700 Israelis and 413 Palestinians have been killed so far, including at least 78 children in Gaza. The number of children killed in Israel is so far unconfirmed. As the violence continues, official sources struggle to keep pace with casualties, which are expected to keep rising as military operations continue.

In Gaza, airstrikes have levelled homes for children and families, while at least three schools and one hospital have also been damaged. A medical centre in Israel has reportedly also been hit by rocket fire. All schools across Israel and Gaza are closed, disrupting children’s access to critical education – a common casualty of repeated escalations, particularly in Gaza.

Reports of Palestinian children being killed and injured in airstrikes and Israeli children being kidnapped and held hostage have exacerbated fears of an unprecedented psychological toll.

...

Children are facing unimaginable risks to their safety, with dire long-term consequences for their mental health including depression, nightmares, bed-wetting and self-harm, Save the Children warned today. ...

Save the Children condemns the violence, saying the scale of the attacks in Israel and Gaza is causing damage that would endure long after the immediate crisis.

https://reliefweb.int/report/occupie...tory-escalates

I post this picture not to say whose children they are, their children or our children, this side or that side children, who is right or wrong children ... but only that they are children. It is too late for them.

tsuku.jpg

What I propose is concerning, possibly unethical and dangerous if misused ... except in comparison with what it is meant to stop.

Gassho, J

stlah

[Guest]

Remember that this does not take away, in any sense, from our traditional practice of Zazen and the Precepts!

I am just thinking "outside the box" about ways to save the lost children of Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Sudan, and 1000 other violent lands.

Of course. [emoji120]

And I appreciate the “outside the box” thinking.

I have come to understand forgiveness. To forgive another is to forgive thyself and to let go of the notion of “I”. And love and compassion is the most penetrating “bullet” of all while upholding our precepts and wholeheartedly practicing and sitting Zazen. However, in times of war and the killing starts these words of forgiveness, love and compassion seem to be thrown to the side in favor of “honor” or “I am right and you are wrong” or whatever the justification is we give ourselves in time of war that causes so much needless death, despair and pain.

One thing that has always stood out to me Roshi, that you spoke of long ago, and forgive me if I do not say this exactly as you did, was when you were asked if there was any one thing that you considered bad no matter what in our practice. Perhaps you said something along the lines of unforgivable. And that was harm to children. I agree. There is no justification when it comes to it. No matter what word we want to slap over it such as “honor” or whatever word that might be to justify it.

I feel that perhaps you are correct on this topic when looked at through practice and upholding the precepts.

If the bloodshed and weapons are going to be utilized no matter what, then perhaps we should use the correct “tool” instead of “weapon.”

Gassho
Kaiku
SatTodayLAH


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[Houzan]

So grateful that you have invested your time and effort in trying to contribute to solving these tough problems
I truly hope that readers dare to consider this innovative 'point of view', and use the reflections as inspiration to try to tackle these age-old problems in new ways.
Hopefully, technology will allow us to identify terrorists, warmongers, and similar threats before any populations or children are affected. Minority report style. AI is certainly paving the way.
Looking forward to reading more about this!

Gassho, Michael
Sat

[Kyonin]

We vow to live the Buddhadharma in a helpful way, saving sentient beings.

We must never stop living the Bodhisattva way.

Thank you Jundo.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Jundo]

I consider the following a Buddhist response to a real world situation, speaking not only about spiritual "inner peace," but what people need materially in life too.

~~~~~

What would happen if violence and barbarism were not answered with barbarism and violence? What would happen if killing children was not met by killing children, but by nurturing children?

What would happen if some leader, some statesperson, said 'ENOUGH!'

In application of the Buddhist Precepts to avoid the taking of life, and real-world economic realities ... My answer?

I would do the OPPOSITE of all that has been done the last 75 years (this week is a bit late, it should have been done before, but it is still possible if there were sufficient courage.) I would have long ago "killed the Palestinians with kindness," hospitals, schools, aid, honor, recognition, economic ties, investment, their own state. I would not let new people settle their lands for no reason, and would have had the settlors live some other part of Israel. In fact, would there be such hate if, over the decades, we had built wonderful houses, parks, settlements, farms for the Palestinians as gifts of goodwill? I would have shared Jerusalem.

Even now, I would be the "bigger man," a historical statesman, turn the other cheek and say ... ENOUGH! No politician has the balls to do so. But the answer now is not to lock them in their own Warsaw Ghetto, to kill their children by the hundreds, doing to them what was done to us!

Frankly, it is late today, and should have happened sometime in the decades leading to today.

Gassho, Salam, Shalom. Jundo Cohen

SatTodayLAH

[Huichan]

Stlah
Ross

[Doshin]

The Bodhisattva way is one of peace and compassion. One I try to build into my life with the decisions I make each day. But what is the “way” when faced with the atrocities we now see in Israel. The depravity and cruelty towards innocent children and others. These crimes of savagery against humanity are not justified under any circumstances. The intent was what I can only describe as evil.

How do we react? How do we walk the way in these times? Diplomacy and kindness at this juncture will not remove the evil from the hearts of the perpetrators. They are beyond that kind of solution. I put myself in the place of someone who lost their family and friends to barbaric actions and my heart would be overwhelmed with vengeance,

I give Metta to all those suffering from the brutality of war. My heart is heavy as I see the death tolls on both sides climb. Those numbers on both sides are primarily those who want a good life but are impacted by the poisons of anger, greed and ignorance of others

I am deeply conflicted by the emotions permeating my heart. I need guidance to keep the poisons from me

Doshin
St/lah

[Ekai]

My heart is heavy since hearing this awful news on Saturday. Every story I hear makes me so sad and scared for where our world is heading. The terror inflicted on innocent civilians is getting worse every year. It is hard to comprehend a human being can cause so much pain and suffering. I am at a loss for words and my soul cries for those who are suffering.

I will sit for the victims and families effected by this terrible tragedy.

Gassho,
Ekai

SAT Lah