QotD: Thich Nhat Hanh on Violence

[liveonearth]

If nonviolence is a stand, then it would be an attack on violence. But the most visible form of violence is revolutionary and liberational violence. So if you stand for nonviolence, you automatically stand against actual revolution and liberation. Quite distressing! 'No! We are not against revolution or liberation. We are against the other side, the side of the institutions, the side of the oppressors. The violence of the system is much more destructive, much more harmful, although it is well hidden. We call it institutional violence. By calling ourselves nonviolent we are against all violence, but we are first against institutional violence.
--Thich Nhat Hanh

Comments

[skyojos.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this. It's good to see this expression from a well known Buddhist leader. Good common sense Buddhism. Taking action against oppression and for liberation is taking action for the sake of life.

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Interesting.

[skyojos.livejournal.com]

A primary way institutions become oppressive/violent is when they turn from using their collective power in life supporting ways to using their power to protect and expand their own existence and influence. An interesting article appeared yesterday and I posted on my journal. It is a fine piece of journalism looking at the political philosophy of Julian Assange behind Wikileaks. It is a really interesting point of view to understand.