VIOLENCE AND PEACE

The teachings of the Tao are extremely clear in their condemnation of violence. Multiple chapters of the Tao Te Ching are devoted to this topic. Violence can never be fully justified, because no matter how righteous your cause, how precise your attack, you can never avoid the negative consequences, which can include injuries, deaths, and the seeds of hatred and future retaliation.

The sages acknowledge that sometimes one has to use violence as a last resort. If cornered, you may have no choice but to use violence for self-defense. However, the sages are also emphatic that if you end up in such a situation, then you have failed to live in accordance with the teachings. Somehow, some way, you have badly mismanaged your life to find yourself forced to be violent.

What you must do, then, is to use just enough force to end the situation so you can extricate yourself safely. Then you will need to review everything leading up to the violent confrontation, and take steps to ensure it will never repeat itself.

The Tao Today

Although violence is an undeniable part of life, it is equally undeniable that the Tao must always be directed toward peaceful harmony. You do not need to be a pacifist, and you can take every measure necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones, but this is no way dilutes your duties as a cultivator. By virtue of your studies, you now represent the Tao to those still unfamiliar with it. Your role requires that you always bring the peace.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin