In the Face of Violence

Hatred and violence are all around these days. Usually, we are not involved but what if we suddenly are? How are we supposed to react when we face a violent situation?

With wisdom.

Reacting to violence with violence only increases the existing hostility. It may appear to solve the problem at that moment but we are actually planting seeds for more anger and antagonism in the future. If only we had been able to act with wisdom in the past, then we would already have resolved this hatred. But having failed to do so once, we have enabled it to grow. And if we do not resolve it with understanding today, this anger and violence will increase and be even worse the next time it erupts. As the Buddha said, hatred never ceases by hatred but by the absence of hatred.

Facing a crisis is exactly when we need to have a calm mind. If we become angry, then we will just charge blindly into the situation and might even begin to behave violently ourselves. With a calm mind, we will have the wisdom to know what to do even in dangerous circumstances.

The sutras have accounts in which the Buddha encountered angry people and violent situations. But he knew the right words to get through to the people to help them stop what they were doing. We do not know the right words because our minds are not calm enough. Only when our minds are tranquil and clear will we be able to access our innate, nonjudg­mental wisdom. Then we will know the right words to speak and the right actions to take.