Content

• 3 ways forgiveness is important

  • "Forgive and bless your tormentors
  • forgiveness is part of sattva
  • forgiveness is the 'supreme peace'
• 2 ways reconciliation is important

  • ahimsa
  • Brahman sees with an 'equal eye'
• Importance of justice

  • part of dharma to protect weak from strong
• 4 reasons to work for peace

  • life is precious because God created it
  • 'inner peace' is important so hold no bitterness in your heart
  • inner peace can be achieved through meditation and self-knowledge
  • even if it is your duty to fight you are working to restore peace and harmony
• pacifism


  not engaging with any conflict or violence
• 5 reasons for being a pacifist

  • ahimsa
  • life is created by Brahman so it is precious
  • 'Brahman is all'
  • dharma
  • 'ahimsa is the highest duty'
• Gandhi


  an astute political campaigner who fought for Indian independence from British rule and for the rights of the Indian poor
• Gandhi's thoughts on non-violence and forgiveness

  • his message was to be non-violent, live simply, respect the dignity of others and love those who hate you
  • he was inspired by ahimsa and passive resistance
  • "there are many causes I am prepared to die for, but no causes I am prepared to kill for"
• Gandhi Foundation

  • vision inspired by Gandhi's life and principles of having a just and peaceful society
  • promote and encourage peaceful, non-violent action
• BAPS

  • harnesses the efforts and collective spirits of volunteers around the world to serve communities
• SEWA UK

  • Hindu charity promoting peace
  • works in areas which suffer from war by mobilising technical assistance to relieve operations
  • invests in building infrastructure and services in the aftermath of disasters
• 4 main causes of war

  • religion
  • economic and resources
  • nationalism and ethnicity
  • ideological and political differences
• 2 reasons Hindus are against war

  • Ahimsa
  • Karma
• Hindu views for war

  • Arjuna was told by Krishna to fight his relatives because it's his dharma
  • Violence only affects the body and not the soul
  • Life and death are maya
• Just war


  a war that is fought for the right reasons in the right way
• 3 arguments for pacifism

  • ahimsa
  • Gandhi
  • moksha
• 3 arguments against pacifism

  • dharma
  • Arjuna told by Krishna to fight
  • situation ethics
• holy war


  fighting for a religious cause or God, likely controlled by a religious leader
• 3 criterias for holy war

  • has a religious goal
  • authorised by a religious leader
  • spiritual reward for those taking part
• 2 examples of holy war

  • Moses leading Israelites out of Egypt after the plagues
  • Crusades - Christians fought to win back Holy lands from Muslim rule
• 5 reasons for Holy War

  • Krishna told Arjuna to fight
  • dharma of kshatriyas
  • gods of Vedas asked to send prayers held in batters
  • may gods are pictured with celestial weapons
  • "may your weapons be strong to drive away attackers"
• 4 reasons against holy war

  • ahimsa
  • Hinduism is not a proselytising religion so no need to fight for more Hindus
  • taking a life darkens your soul - further from moksha
  • "you must not use your god-given body for killing god's creatures"
• Atheist views on Holy War

  • most believe religion is the main cause of war - ironic that religions teach of love but then wage in battle
  • some acknowledge religion is not always responsible
• Humanist views on Holy War

  • contradiction of terms
• Weapons of mass destruction


  weapons that can kill large numbers of people and/or cause great damage
• 5 types of WMD

  • Biological weapons
  • Nuclear weapons
  • Incendiary weapons
  • Chemical weapons
  • Explosives
• Hindu views for WMDs

  • life and death is maya
  • "The Supreme Soul is imperishable"
  • deterrence and security
• Hindu views against WMDs

  • Laws of Manu - women, children etc shouldn't be attacked. WMD does not guarantee this
  • Rig Veda - "A warrior should not poison the tip of his arrow"
  • "Brahman is all"
• Utilitarianism on WMDs

  • Peace is more likely if the threat of nuclear war exists
• terrorism


  the unlawful use of violence, usually against innocent civilians for a political goal
• Hindu view on terrorism

  • those who support terrorism are straying from their teachings and would be widely condemned