Alternatives to War
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As The War Begins: Brief Words from Buddhist Peace Fellowship
Draft 1
3.20.03 The war in Iraq has begun.

Another war. The world itself is wounded, and people everywhere are grieving, anxious, angry, and confused. An endless river of suffering karma flows out of this technologized violence, whose victims are not machines but living beings, like ourselves. Unforeseen consequences of terrorism, regional war, and environmental disaster will follow quickly. Our mission at BPF is to embody peace in ourselves, in our communities and nations, and to oppose war everywhere. We must do all that we can to oppose this war in particular, to bring it quickly to an end, to limit casualties on all sides, and to help victims that include the people of Iraq, western troops, and ourselves. 2500 years ago Shakyamuni Buddha said. Victory breeds hatred, The defeated live in pain. Happily the peaceful live, Giving up both victory and defeat. (Dhammapada, Verse 201) There will be no victors in this war between the United States and Iraq. But there will be many victims all around the world. Behind all the posturing and lies and guns, there are contending and unspoken illusions of American Empire and a pan-Arab empire led by Iraq. Empire bestows privileges on a few and suffering on many. In accord with the Buddha's truth of impermanence, empires fall.without exception. We cannot put faith in empire, in wealth, in homeland security, or in our leaders' dissembling words. Security is only found when we recognize that all beings wish happiness, health, and meaningful life as we do. We can also acknowledge that the work of peace has been wide and deep over these last few months. The debate has been unprecedented. Whole cities and countries have spoken out wisely. We have not stopped this war, but we may have limited it in ways we don't understand. Our leaders know the whole world is watching. With our steadfast witness, we may help them yet to see themselves clearly. In all seriousness we should consider this 1952 koan from Pogo: "We have met the enemy, and he is us." "Us" is each of us, and we are responsible for transforming our suffering. "Us" is also George Bush, Saddam Hussein, a grandfather in Iraq, a young mother in the U.S. Army in Kuwait, a schoolroom full of kids in Florida, on and on. We must help each being see each other being. So long as we cling to notions of "us" and "them," of empire, of tribe, our world will be lost in suffering. All people are chosen, all land is holy. Battles may happen, but in Buddhadharma the cloak of justice can never be cut to fit a war.