Consider these points-
Killing is unethical.
All environments are unsafe.
Are there examples supporting carrying weapons for self defence in the sutta?
It many countries such actions would be illegal.
Consider these points-
Carrying weapons doesn't always have to involve killing. You can shoot someone in the leg for example.
Let's see you carry that attitude off in Sierra Leone.
How many people who are born and raised in Sierra Leone have an interest in Buddhism?Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:18 amLet's see you carry that attitude off in Sierra Leone.
The point is that its easy to say such things, but a lot less easy to act accordingly when the situation actually arises.binocular wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:45 amHow many people who are born and raised in Sierra Leone have an interest in Buddhism?Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:18 amLet's see you carry that attitude off in Sierra Leone.
We have a choice follow Buddhist teachings or do otherwise.Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:25 pmThe point is that its easy to say such things, but a lot less easy to act accordingly when the situation actually arises.binocular wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:45 amHow many people who are born and raised in Sierra Leone have an interest in Buddhism?Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:18 amLet's see you carry that attitude off in Sierra Leone.
Substitute any actually risky situation for Sierra Leone.
My point is that there seems to be a pattern:Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:25 pmThe point is that its easy to say such things, but a lot less easy to act accordingly when the situation actually arises.
Substitute any actually risky situation for Sierra Leone.
In real-life situations, there seems to often be much more choice than these abstract thought experiments can predict.Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:25 pmThe point is that its easy to say such things, but a lot less easy to act accordingly when the situation actually arises.
Really? Have you ever heard of the Tamil Tigers?binocular wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 5:25 pmMy point is that there seems to be a pattern:Pseudobabble wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:25 pmThe point is that its easy to say such things, but a lot less easy to act accordingly when the situation actually arises.
Substitute any actually risky situation for Sierra Leone.
People who have an interest in (Theravada) Buddhism aren't born into particularly physically dangerous situations (such as being born into Sierra Leone).
On the other hand, people who are born into particularly physically dangerous situations don't have much interest in (Theravada) Buddhism (so they don't concern themselves with issues of morality in self-defense).
I don't know in how far this pattern holds true. It certainly holds that not just anything happens or can happen to just anyone just anywhere.
Sure, I was thinking of those, too, along with the situation in Burma, etc., that's why I'm not sure in how far the pattern holds.