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Veterans Day and the Taoist

     November 11 marks the anniversary of the end of the first world war. In the United States, this was originally celebrated as Armistice Day, but sometime after the second world war, it became known as Veterans Day to honour everyone who wore the uniform in service to this nation.

     Other nations celebrate this day as a memorial day, honoring those who died fighting for their country, but the US already celebrates this day in May. I personally have always been very patriotic toward my country, so I have previously celebrated these days with great pride in my nations and the individuals who have served in uniform to preserve the American way of life.

     Now after awakening spiritually, there have been many choices before me, unfolding like paths in a mountain forest, winding along before me in trails that, once taken, will not intersect with the others. One such trail is pacifism, which seems diametrically opposed to wars, and service to an institution that would impose its will on anyone.

     Especially as I have come to identify more with Taoism than any other form of spiritual practice (though in truth, I like to borrow a little from every spiritual practice I encounter), I find that I am seeking to follow Tao, which is in itself a pathway of peace. Tao is peace itself, because Tao is fully live. Can a Taoist then still be a patriot, or still give favour to the armed forces that have willfully killed other beings?


     In the Tao the Ching thirty-one, Lao Tzu writes about weapons and warfare:

Good weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them.
Therefore followers of Tao never use them.
The wise man prefers the left.
The man of war prefers the right.

Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools.
He uses them only when he has no choice.
Peace and quiet are dear to his heart,
And victory no cause for rejoicing.
If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing;
If you delight in killing, you cannot fulfill yourself.

On happy occasions precedence is given to the left,
On sad occasions to the right.
In the army the general stands on the left,
The commander-in-chief on the right.
This means war is conducted like a funeral.
When many people are being killed,
They should be mourned in heartfelt sorrow.
That is why victory must be observed like a funeral.

     The first thing I notice about these verses is that Lao Tzu doesn't condemn weapons, the army, or fighting. He merely says that peace is preferable to war. I believe any true warrior would prefer not to have to fight or kill. A wise leader of a nation will have many weapons, but will not parade them about as they do in North Korea. The point of having a military or weapons is in the event of an attack, so that there may be quick retaliation to preserve a nation, and hopefully a quick and decisive outcome. We are seeing this in Ukraine. Though they were surprised, they rose up against the oppressor.

     Also, Lao Tzu says war must be conducted as a funeral. A good soldier may we'll consider that those who he is shooting at are also fighting for something they believe in. Therefore, even on the battlefield, we are all connected. We are all just different parts of the same universe experiencing itself. We should feel sadness for every life that is taken, because all life is sacred. But if someone is shooting at you, by all means, shoot back.

     Moreover, I do not think Lao Tzu puts any judgment on the wise man over the man of war in his verses. Both are needed in a nation if it is to preserve it's culture. The wise man is needed in times of peace, and to bring peace out of war. The man of war is needed when peace breaks down. A wise nation will honour those men of war.

     After Veterans Day in America comes Thanksgiving, and the day after kicks off the Christmas season. I love this time of year because it is a time when peace on earth seems possible. I do not see contradiction in being patriotic, thanking our veterans, and loving peace. I seek to live my life in peace, and I, as many do, believe in the dream that one day we shall see the glorious realization of the dream of world peace.

If you are a veteran, and you are reading this, you have my deepest gratitude. Thank you.
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