Question: “I am interested in Buddhism, but I have some internal conflict. You see, I have been a Soldier for many years I learned how to use guns and bows I purchase from the Archery-Pro site online. I am also aware of the evil in the world and would exercise my right to defend myself with deadly force if necessary. What are your thoughts on the taking of life, particularly in the service of the government and self defense? Is it possible to consider myself a Buddhist while holding these beliefs?”
It is possible. The Buddha taught us to not take life under any circumstances, even if it is self-defense, because if someone were to try and kill you, it is because of your own karma and your death might have been a karmic debt that needed to be paid. However, that doesn’t necessary needs to be true for everyone. If you, as a soldier and a normal person, can understand and accept the consequences of taking life, then that’s fine.
The Buddha himself, in a former life while still a bodhisattva, was on a merchant boat with hundreds of other people. Because he was an enlightened bodhisattva when he learned how to be psychic, so he developed a psychic gift and knew that someone on the ship was about to kill everyone. So he had a decision to make, would he keep his vow to not take life or would he break this vow and kill that person in order to save everyone else. Knowing the consequences of taking life (a rebirth in hell), the bodhisattva killed the man for the sake of saving everyone else on board. Though his broke a crucial vow and was reborn in hell, his intention was to save and protect, so his hellish rebirth was very short lived.
Likewise, the mission of most armies is to defend and protect their country, because if you can stop the bad people, you save the citizens of your country. If your intention is pure it is better than killing for sport and fun. What happens to the people who go out and mass murder dozens or hundreds of people because they felt like it or hated people? They died and lost their life. That is the effect of their actions. Those who kill to save life, and we see this a lot from people who have gone to war and come back home and suffer severe PTSD, though they come back as heroes to others, they are now living a hellish life (rebirth) because of their actions.
When it comes to self-defense, there is no reason to end that person’s life. Defending means protecting or saving, so you can defend yourself without having to take life. Instead, defend in a way that will subdue or neutralize.
Smile and be well!