Reducing anger in armed conflict: Buddhism and the principle of humanity

Abstract

This article examines a selection of Buddhist texts, mainly in Pali, that address the reduction of violence and the elimination of suffering, connecting them to the ‘Principle of Humanity,’ one of the most fundamental ethical principles underpinning International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Drawing on canonical and commentarial sources, it examines several practices taught by the Buddha that are capable of dissolving the entrenched mental patterns underlying both personal suffering and collective conflict. The analysis engages with the theory of ‘freezing factors,’ which refers to the persistence of certain moral, emotional, or cultural attitudes that inhibit reconciliation and sustain violent dynamics during armed conflict. Special emphasis is placed on Buddhaghosa’s exposition of ten methods for overcoming resentment, and on the cultivation of mettā, love-and-amity, as a foundation for social harmony. The article argues that these practices constitute a radical path towards dismantling the very conditions that sustain anger, suffering, and division, while also recognising their compatibility with IHL’s more pragmatic aim of reducing violence within conflict. Buddhist practices can restrain hostility and rage precisely because they are grounded in the aspiration for final liberation from suffering and ignorance, and for this reason, they can effectively help prevent the escalation of unrestrained violence, which would otherwise hinder or even jeopardise efforts towards resolving the conflict. By situating these teachings within contemporary discussions on the role of trust and reaffirmation of shared humanity, the article highlights their relevance for those engaged in conflict transformation today, and raises critical questions about the sociopolitical obstacles that continue to resist such a path.