In recent years, a global resurgence of traditional religion has led the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to examine the alignment of international humanitarian law (IHL) with world religions. In Buddhism, it finds a particularly promising partner. Both are concerned with the maintenance of human dignity and the minimisation of suffering in a world marked by violent conflict. Whilst Buddhism has both humanistic and transcendental dimensions, its humanistic dimension aligns closely with the strategic mission of the ICRC, and Buddhist ethics fit well with the standards of IHL. What then, of the Buddhist Soldier?
