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Is It Ever Skillful to Fight Back?

AllbuddhaBoundAllbuddhaBound Veteran
edited January 2011 in Buddhism Basics
People can be underhanded at times and turning the other cheek can often result in the assumption that you are afraid of the people doing the damage. This can also result in people accelerating the whiplash from karma. The more they are confortable with being underhanded, the more tempting it is to continue on a destructive path. Sometimes, resistance is required to put a stop to shenanigans. How do you know when fighting back is skillful?

Comments

  • aHappyNihilistaHappyNihilist Veteran
    edited January 2011
    You know fighting back is skillful based on why you are fighting back. From your description of your motivation for fighting back, fighting back would never be skillful.

    If you are fighting back to defend yourself or another that is one thing. But fighting back just to prove to someone else you aren't afraid of them, fighting back out of anger or revenge... those are unskillful motivations.

    There are basically three motivations for fighting back, self defense, defense of another, or in some way proving yourself as superior. The first two are ok the last is not because if you are fighting for that reason it is a fight you can't win.
  • Ada_BAda_B
    My first introduction to Buddhism was via my karate teacher, who is a Zen Buddhist as well as an excellent karate instructor. He still instructs my girls. Karate, as well as several other martial arts, are predicated on Buddhist principles so yes, you can fight back. However, you should always endeavour to walk away from a fight if you possibly can, and use non-lethal force if at all possible. The goal is self-defence only, not revenge, or to "teach them a lesson", or to show them how hard you are etc.

    Other than that, I think aHappyNihilist said it all.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    Turning the other cheek is in itself a defence mechanism. if you knew the connotations behind 'turning the other cheek' you'd see that there is a gesture of defiance within this act....

    Rwad this:
    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_did_Jesus_get_the_phrase_turn_the_other_cheek

    confirmed by this:
    http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iADEzwy42bgC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=gesture+of+defiance+in+turning+the+other+cheek+right+hand&source=bl&ots=KV9ObUtoy6&sig=dxpBA7cc_S

  • RogerRoger
    How do you know when fighting back is skillful?
    IMO? You become the therapist and they are the mental patient and you are trying to help them see how they're messing up based upon misperceptions of reality, or narcissism, or projection, etc., etc., etc..

    You can get a lot done that way. That requires interpersonal skills like you suggest. Where do you get those skills? I dunno. ;)

    How can you tell if you have them? IMO, You can tell because you effected a positive change that comes without resentment.

  • fabianfredfabianfred
    The Buddha said that 'if there is a bunch of people striking and beating you, even intent upon killing you, then do not feel anger or hatred towards them, but rather compassion that they create evil karma for themselves and will suffer for it in the future.'
    If you feel anger or hatred or want revenge then you are no better than them and are creating evil karma for yourself.
    IF, you can act to defend yourself, will calm mind, for their benefit, do so...... and help them avoid karma...... by running away if possible.
    From the series 'Kung Fu'..... 'avoid rather than block, block rather than hurt, hurt rather than maim, maim rather than kill, for life is precious to all and cannot be replaced.'
  • RogerRoger
    edited January 2011


    The Buddha said that 'if there is a bunch of people striking and beating you, even intent upon killing you, then do not feel anger or hatred towards them, but rather compassion that they create evil karma for themselves and will suffer for it in the future.'
    If you feel anger or hatred or want revenge then you are no better than them and are creating evil karma for yourself.

    IF, you can act to defend yourself, will calm mind, for their benefit, do so...... and help them avoid karma...... by running away if possible.
    From the series 'Kung Fu'..... 'avoid rather than block, block rather than hurt, hurt rather than maim, maim rather than kill, for life is precious to all and cannot be replaced.'

    Hey f. Your post is very nicely expressed. :thumbsup:

    The "Kung Fu" adage is very well done. I forgot about the martial arts; how they might fit in. Thanks. :)
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