Nirvana on Fire: Mahayana Views on Violence Applied to Modern Philippine Politics

Abstract

This paper argues that Mahayana Buddhist ethics, particularly the concept of “compassionate violence,” can be used to justify revolutionary violence against oppressive political and economic structures in the modern Philippines. The author analyzes Buddhist texts, Southeast Asian historical models of kingship, and pre-colonial Philippine history to build a framework for this argument. The paper concludes that under a Buddhist lens, overthrowing corrupt leaders is a justifiable and meritorious act necessary to end systemic harm and create a more just society.