War? No Thank You: Wise Words from the Buddha

With all the talk lately about the US and Iran, I thought about this quote from a Buddhist text called the Dhammapada. The Buddha, said in the Dhammapada, verses 129-132:

All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.

All tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.

One who, while himself seeking happiness, oppresses with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will not attain happiness hereafter

One who, while himself seeking happiness, does not oppress with violence other beings who also desire happiness, will find happiness hereafter.

Indeed, the only good WAR is this one:

Goodwill towards others is the cornerstone of Buddhism, and something we can all foster in the world starting with ourselves.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhasa

(“Praise to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the fully Awakened One.”)