So today we're gonna explore some Buddhist self-defense options. So someone is trying to attack you: as a Buddhist, what would you do? How do you respond? 

Well you've got options. Number one: power of persuasion. Just try and talk ‘em out of it. In an ideal world you could probably just talk the person out of it. Explain to them that they're suffering, and that by attacking you they're also causing more suffering. Hurting me is also hurting you. Our journey to enlightenment is tied together. And hopefully they'll understand this and both parties will then be one step closer to ending suffering. 

But that doesn't happen, so let's be realistic. If someone's attacking you, what can you do to defend yourself? Fight back? 

So fighting in Buddhism gets a bit difficult, so let's pause. There’s a sūtra where Buddha says that if a robber is cutting off all of your limbs, if hatred against him arises then you are not truly his disciple. So what's important here is to fight back without hatred and while trying to minimize suffering for all parties. 

So here's where aikidō steps in – the art of peace. Aikidō is a form of self-defense that I believe aligns with Buddhist principles as its aim is to prevent harm without causing harm. Cool right? 

But unfortunately I don't know aikidō. So what else can I do? Accept it? 

Now this kind of sucks because as Carpenter said, not every episode of suffering can be traced back to some previous ill deed. But at least we know that every wicked deed is sure to result eventually in suffering of some kind for the perpetrator. So maybe it just is what it is and it's about letting go. Oh well.

So have we figured out the ideal Buddhist response to self-defense? No, but at least we have some options.