Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that emphasizes non-violence, compassion, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. These beliefs have profound implications when it comes to the issue of killing animals and soldiers, as well as the actions of characters like Katczinsky and Paul in Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front.

In Buddhism, the First Precept is to refrain from killing living beings. This includes not only humans but also animals, which are seen as deserving of the same respect and consideration as humans. The Buddha taught that all living beings have Buddha nature or the potential for enlightenment and that it is wrong to take away this potential through killing. As the Buddha says in the Dhammapada: “All tremble at violence; all fear death. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.” This principle of non-violence has important implications for the morality of killing animals. Buddhism teaches that we should avoid causing harm to any living beings, and this includes animals that we might use for food or other purposes. Not only does Buddhism teach you not to kill animals, but it also tells you about the morality of killing soldiers. Buddha himself was a pacifist who taught that violence and war are fundamentally wrong. As he says in the Dhammapada: “Victory breeds hatred, the defeated live in pain. Happily, the peaceful life, giving up victory and defeat.” This suggests that Buddhists should avoid engaging in warfare and should instead seek peaceful solutions to conflicts.

However, it is important to note that Buddhism also recognizes the complexities of human life and the fact that sometimes difficult choices have to be made. In the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the Buddha tells his followers that he does not forbid them from engaging in warfare if it is necessary for the protection of their country and people. This suggests that while Buddhists should strive for non-violence and pacifism, there may be situations where the use of force is necessary for the greater good.

In the context of All Quiet on the Western Front, the actions of Katczinsky and Paul raise complex moral questions about the use of violence in war. Katczinsky is a loyal and dedicated soldier who supports his comrades in battle, often putting himself in harm’s way to help them. As he says in the novel: “Every little bean must be heard as well as seen.” Page 41. Katczinsky is always trying to find a way to make his squad’s life better: he is able to obtain food and other supplies for his squad, even in the face of scarce resources and difficult conditions. Having this personality reflects upon what Buddha said: “If we fail to look after others when they need help, who will look after us?”. However, Katczinsky’s loyalty also involves killing enemy soldiers and animals, which raises questions about the morality of his actions from a Buddhist perspective. While Buddhism recognizes the importance of loyalty and camaraderie, it also teaches that violence and killing are inherently wrong.

Similarly, Paul’s decision to help an injured enemy soldier raises questions about the morality of violence in war. While Paul initially sees the soldier as a faceless enemy, he soon recognizes his humanity and feels a sense of compassion for him. Later, we see Paul giving cigarettes to the Russian prisoners as they ask for help. Page 194 of AQOTWF. Paul’s act of compassion towards the enemy soldier highlights the Buddhist principle of non-violence and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Buddhism teaches that all living beings are interconnected and that the suffering of one is the suffering of all. By helping the enemy soldier, Paul recognizes this interconnectedness and acts with compassion toward him.

Overall, the philosophy of Buddhism has essential implications for the morality of killing animals and soldiers, as well as the actions of characters like Katczinsky and Paul in All Quiet on the Western Front. While Buddhism emphasizes non-violence and compassion, it also recognizes the complexities of human life and the fact that difficult choices sometimes have to be made. In the context of war, this can involve the use of force for the greater good, but it also requires recognizing the humanity and interconnectedness of all living beings, including enemy soldiers. Ultimately, Buddhism calls us to act with compassion and kindness towards all living beings, even in the midst of conflict and violence.

This essay was written by chat GPT. The bolded lines are the ones the author wrote of this article.