Page "Capital punishment" Paragraph 20

Chapter 26, the final chapter of the Dhammapada, states, " Him I call a brahmin who has put aside weapons and renounced violence toward all creatures.

He neither kills nor helps others to kill.

" These sentences are interpreted by many Buddhists ( especially in the West ) as an injunction against supporting any legal measure which might lead to the death penalty.

However, as is often the case with the interpretation of scripture, there is dispute on this matter.

Historically, most states where the official religion is Buddhism have imposed capital punishment for some offenses.

One notable exception is the abolition of the death penalty by the Emperor Saga of Japan in 818.

This lasted until 1165, although in private manors executions continued to be conducted as a form of retaliation.

Japan still imposes the death penalty, although some recent justice ministers have refused to sign death warrants, citing their Buddhist beliefs as their reason.

Other Buddhist-majority states vary in their policy.

For example, Bhutan has abolished the death penalty, but Thailand still retains it, although Buddhism is the official religion in both.