user19507: Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need for military force? It is said in Metta Sutta that one who practices metta is free from dangers of fire, poison and weapons. Is the practice of metta enough to protect the citizens from any aggression?

user471: While violence and destruction is strongly discouraged in Buddhism, and business in weapons and poisons is wrong livelihood for a serious lay practitioner, it is ok for a ruler or government to establish police and armed forces to:

protect and guard the people
ensure peace
ensure that justice prevails


‘But sire, what are the noble duties of a wheel-turning monarch?’
‘Well then, my dear, relying only on principle—honoring, respecting,
and venerating principle, having principle as your flag, banner, and
authority — provide just protection and security for your court, troops,
aristocrats, vassals, brahmins and householders, people of town and
country, ascetics and brahmins, beasts and birds. Do not let injustice
prevail in the realm. Pay money to the penniless in the realm.
DN 26


"What have you heard, Ananda: do the Vajjis duly protect and guard the
arahats, so that those who have not come to the realm yet might do so,
and those who have already come might live there in peace?"
"I have heard, Lord, that they do."
"So long, Ananda, as this is the case, the growth of the Vajjis is to
be expected, not their decline."
DN 16


user24191: 
Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need
for military force?

People who practice metta are always a minority in this world. And the people who attain a successful level of metta are minority of minority.
If we consider about the ancient kings:

The King Bimbisara who had unwavering faith and was the main
upasaka-king, had a military.
The King Asoka who was the Main emperor in Buddhism, had a military.


It is said in Metta Sutta that one who practices metta is free from
dangers of fire, poison and weapons.

Such a person is secure while in the Metta Jhana, I think.
Otherwise how can the "top disciple venerable Moggallana" was attacked to death by a gang of robbers.
Even the "top Upasika in metta" was burnt alive by another wife of her husband king.
Kamma can not be overpowered always by metta, I think.

Is the practice of metta enough to protect the citizens from any
aggression?

If one practice it properly, he will get huge protections from the dangers than a non-practitioner.
But everything can not be done by metta alone, I think.

19507: <p>Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need for military force? It is said in <a href="https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an11/an11.016.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Metta Sutta</a> that one who practices <em>metta</em> is free from dangers of fire, poison and weapons. Is the practice of <em>metta</em> enough to protect the citizens from any aggression?</p>
 471: <p>While violence and destruction is strongly discouraged in Buddhism, and business in weapons and poisons is wrong livelihood for a serious lay practitioner, it is ok for a ruler or government to establish police and armed forces to:</p>
<ul>
<li>protect and guard the people</li>
<li>ensure peace</li>
<li>ensure that justice prevails</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>‘But sire, what are the noble duties of a wheel-turning monarch?’</p>
<p>‘Well then, my dear, relying only on principle—honoring, respecting,
and venerating principle, having principle as your flag, banner, and
authority — <strong>provide just protection and security</strong> for your court, troops,
aristocrats, vassals, brahmins and householders, people of town and
country, ascetics and brahmins, beasts and birds. <strong>Do not let injustice
prevail</strong> in the realm. Pay money to the penniless in the realm.<br />
<a href="https://suttacentral.net/dn26/en/sujato" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DN 26</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;What have you heard, Ananda: do the Vajjis duly <strong>protect and guard</strong> the
arahats, so that those who have not come to the realm yet might do so,
and those who have already come might live there in <strong>peace</strong>?&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;I have heard, Lord, that they do.&quot;</p>
<p>&quot;So long, Ananda, as this is the case, the growth of the Vajjis is to
be expected, not their decline.&quot;<br />
<a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DN 16</a></p>
</blockquote>
 24191: <blockquote>
<p>Would a civilization based on the teachings of Buddha ever had a need
for military force?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>People who practice metta are always a <strong>minority</strong> in this world. And the people who attain a successful level of metta are <strong>minority of minority</strong>.</p>
<p>If we consider about the ancient kings:</p>
<ol>
<li>The King Bimbisara who had <strong>unwavering faith</strong> and was the main
upasaka-king, had a military.</li>
<li>The King Asoka who was the Main emperor in Buddhism, had a military.</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
<p>It is said in Metta Sutta that one who practices metta is free from
dangers of fire, poison and weapons.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Such a person is secure while in the Metta Jhana, I think.</p>
<p>Otherwise how can the <strong>&quot;top disciple venerable Moggallana&quot;</strong> was attacked to death by a gang of robbers.</p>
<p>Even the <strong>&quot;top Upasika in metta&quot;</strong> was burnt alive by another wife of her husband king.</p>
<p>Kamma can not be overpowered always by metta, I think.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Is the practice of metta enough to protect the citizens from any
aggression?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>If one practice it properly, he will get huge protections from the dangers than a non-practitioner.</p>
<p>But everything can not be done by metta alone, I think.</p>
