Teaching and Learning Guide for: Buddhism and Violence

As an intensely social engagement for peace-making, psychological coping strategies, and fiscal habits and political persuasions, religion is also inextricably tied to individual and communal acts of violence. There has been a long history of Buddhist-inspired revolts, state-sanctioned punishments, suicides, and war rhetoric; however, contemporary popular discourse portrays Buddhism as the antidote to violence. This misperception clouds the study of Buddhism as an academic subject matter. More importantly, it interferes with contemporary analyses of current conflicts that draw upon Buddhist principles and actors. This guide provides an approach to teaching about religion and violence that redresses such misperceptions and outlines a method for integrating Buddhism into the discussion.