Buddhist Wars
December 20, 2025
by William P. Meyers

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Thailand v. Cambodia: what was left out

Last night I saw more reporting on the current border war between Thailand and Cambodia. I thought: aren't both nations Buddhist? Isn't Buddhism promoted as a peaceful religion? I was particularly interested because for about 2 years of my life, back in the late 1970s, I considered myself to be Buddhist. Before I was disillusioned.

A quick glance at Wikipedia confirmed my suspicions: Thailand is listed at 93.46% Buddhism. Cambodia at 97.1% Buddhism.

Perhaps the rulers of the nation, or their militaries, or some soldiers, are not Buddhists?

Or perhaps Buddhism, like other religions, is a pile of BS.

I was raised Roman Catholic, including attending Catholic schools through the 8th grade. I was a good Catholic believer until 8th grade, when, perhaps influenced by television (this was round 1967) or reading, I began to see contradictions in Catholic doctrine, and contradictions with what I was learning about the real world. By 9th grade I was not Catholic and barely Christian. By 10th grade I was an atheist.

I realized, studying world history in high school, that if Jesus was the Prince of Peace, and the Pope his representative on earth, that it was strange how many wars had been fought by Catholic kings against other Catholic kings. Then by Protestants against Catholics. And eventually Protestants against Protestants.

I studied Philosophy in college. I wanted answers. Philosophy just kept generating more questions. Then in my Senior year I met a Zen Buddhist, Bill King, a follower of another Zen Buddhist, Richard Rose. They did not have answers, but they had better questions. At least for me, at that time.

Zen Buddhism is not mainstream Buddhism. And it turned out to have a lot of competing sects. Some existed in the U.S., so I was able to check them out. I also read up on Asian history.

The study of history should be a cure for all religious beliefs, and many secular ones. Why did China take over Tibet, long long ago? Because gangs of armed Buddhist monks, not content to fight with each other for supremacy in Tibet, started raiding western China. The reason Tibet became peaceful was not the inherent nature of Buddhism, but because peace was imposed by China, which by the way was also Buddhist.

Of course, as with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and probably every other religion (including the Aboriginal American religion of the Aztecs, with its human sacrifices), it can be argued that Buddhism itself is good. Any bad behavior by individual Buddhists is their own fault, not the fault of the religion.

Then the flip side should apply: any good behavior by Buddhists is their own merit, not indicating any good in the religion.

Atheism, or lack of religion, in itself is certainly no solution to either philosophic problems or to bad human behavior. Atheists too range the gamut from perfectly good to psycho killer.

Still, it seems like some cultures are more peaceful than others. Some cultures lead to more productive human lives. Some cultures cultivate justice and fairness. Some cultivate mental health and physical health. Some cultivate respect for the environment.

I think it is best to start with the truth, if you can. Natural Truth.

Enjoy the solstice. May peace be with you.