(•) Violence Begets Violence
Chairman Mao once said that political power comes from the barrel of a
gun. Of course it is true that violence can achieve certain short-term
objectives, but it cannot obtain long-lasting ends. If we look at
history, we find that in time, humanity's love of peace, justice, and
freedom always triumphs over cruelty and oppression. This is why I am
such a fervent believer in non-violence. Violence begets violence. And
violence means only one thing: suffering. Theoretically, it is possible
to conceive of a situation where the only way to prevent large-scale
conflict is through armed intervention at an early stage. But the problem
with this argument is that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to
predict the outcome of violence. Nor can we be sure of its justness at the
outset. This only becomes clear when we have the benefit of hindsight.
The only certainty is that where there is violence, there is always and
inevitably suffering. ..
..
I am convinced that the main reason so many people say the path of
non-violence is impractical is because engaging in it seems daunting: we
become discouraged. Nevertheless, whereas formerly it was enough to wish
for peace in one's own land, or even just in one's neighborhood, today we
speak of world peace. This is only appropriate. The fact of human
interdependence is so explicit now: the only peace it is meaningful to
speak of is world peace.
The Dalai Lama, "Peace and Disarmament," Ethics for a New Millennium
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Pax Christi,
Ninure Saunders
http://NINURE.TK
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