Buddhism is a philosophy that teaches individuals to follow the Eightfold Path, which emphasizes nonviolence, compassion, and mindfulness. These teachings aim to guide individuals toward the goal of achieving inner peace and enlightenment. The teachings of Buddhism offer a moral framework for evaluating the actions of individuals, including soldiers like Paul in the novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.

One of the core principles of Buddhism is nonviolence. The Buddha taught that causing harm to others, including animals, is wrong and leads to suffering. However, Paul, like many other soldiers, kills enemy soldiers as part of his duty in the war. While this may seem to contradict Buddhist principles, it is important to remember that Paul’s actions are shaped by his circumstances and the environment he finds himself in. In one scene, Paul reflects on the morality of killing and the value of human life, saying, “We have become wild beasts. We do not fight, we defend ourselves against annihilation. It is not against men that we fling our bombs, what do we know of men at this moment when Death is hunting us down?” (Remarque, 113). Paul recognizes the dehumanizing nature of war and the difficulty of reconciling his actions with his conscience.

Another important Buddhist principle is compassion. The Buddha taught that all living beings suffer and that we should seek to alleviate that suffering through acts of kindness and generosity. Paul shows compassion towards enemy soldiers, as seen when he shares his cigarettes with Russian prisoners. He also helps a recruit put on his gas mask, shares his food and cigarettes with his comrades, and even gives bread to his friends and keeps the moldy one for himself. These actions align with the Buddhist principle of metta, which is loving-kindness and compassion towards all beings. The Buddha taught that by practicing metta, individuals can develop a peaceful and harmonious society. Paul’s actions show that he is capable of demonstrating empathy towards others, which is a commendable quality.

Another aspect of Buddhist philosophy that can be applied to the evaluation of Paul’s ethics is mindfulness. The Buddha taught that we should be aware of our thoughts and actions, and strive to cultivate a clear and focused mind. Paul demonstrates mindfulness in his interactions with his comrades, as he is aware of their needs and acts to fulfill them. He also shows mindfulness in his reflections on the nature of war and the morality of his actions.

In conclusion, the philosophy of Buddhism offers a useful lens through which to evaluate the ethics of Paul, a soldier in All Quiet on the Western Front. While Paul’s actions may seem to contradict some Buddhist principles, such as nonviolence, his circumstances and environment must be taken into account. Paul demonstrates compassion towards his comrades and even towards enemy soldiers, recognizing the common humanity shared by all soldiers. Overall, Paul’s struggles with the morality of war and the value of human life demonstrate the complexities of ethical decision-making in extreme circumstances.