Xct Mu Bi Pc 32Viewing a Military Action
Pāli / Sanskrit:Uyyodhika
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DISCOURSE ON VIEWING WAR
Uyyodhika - Xct Mu Bi Pc 32
Background
The Uyyodhika discourse appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pātimokkha Sutta, the section of rules in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha. In the early period of early Buddhism, while the Buddha was still alive, bhikkhus sometimes witnessed military events, from the marching of kings’ armies to battles. This discourse was taught to guide renunciant trainees on how to relate to such scenes of violence.
The legal context of the Vinaya Piṭaka is a collection of rules and guidelines intended to help the monastic community maintain purity and focus on the aim of liberation. The rules concerning viewing military events reflect the Buddha’s careful consideration: how bhikkhus could live safely in the world while still preserving the purity of their minds.
Main Content
The Uyyodhika discourse deals with the question: is a bhikkhu permitted intentionally to watch military activities, military parades, or the violent aspects of war?
According to the guidance of the traditional Vinaya Piṭaka, a bhikkhu should avoid deliberately taking part in watching military events for many reasons: first, such sights may stimulate greed, hatred, and delusion, unwholesome states of mind (akusala); second, intentionally watching military matters may negatively affect the concentration (samādhi) and wisdom (paññā) of the bhikkhu.
However, the Vinaya Piṭaka also distinguishes between “intentional” and “accidental” witnessing. If a bhikkhu happens to see an army on the march without seeking it out, that is not a violation. What matters is the motive and intention (cetanā) of the practitioner. The discourse emphasizes that the distinction between intentional acts and accidental acts is the basis of Buddhist ethics.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of this discourse lies in protecting purity of mind (citta-visuddhi).
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