@Tuftears I assume it works as a Buddhist deal, where sometimes violence works out to be the most compassionate action you can take. (Although historically most times monks have taken up weapons for spectacularly earthy reasons.)
@Leucrotta Protesting a shortage of drink in the monastery, I'd guess!
@Tuftears you’re not going to believe this, but one of the things Mt. Hiei monks were notorious for were marching into Kyoto with portable shrines (and weapons) to demand concessions from local authorities- including tax breaks for breweries they owned. The idea being, you can’t get them to leave without caving or violence and what sort of nimrod attacks monks?
@Leucrotta Ahahaha, monastic Mafioso!
@Leucrotta A handsome hoofer!
@Leucrotta I do wonder how pacifism works in a setting where violence is a normal expected way to solve problems... Self-defense is allowed, hence 'pacifism' rather than 'non-violence' or 'peacefulness'?