At Gaza, I found myself on the front lines of devastation. Here, the landscape is marred by shattered lives, scorched buildings, and fractured humanity. The overwhelming suffering I’ve witnessed is almost too much to process, and yet, as a reporter and - as a devout Buddhist - my role is to bear witness and offer a truthful account of the cruelty that unfurls here every day.

Today, I came face-to-face with one of the darkest moments I could have imagined. On one occasion, I stood some distance away from an Israeli soldier and witnessed his act of gunning down an entire family. The sheer brutality of the act chilled me to the core. In this moment, I am torn between the rage I feel as a human being and the resolve I try to maintain as a practitioner of Buddhist values. I am compelled to report truthfully and, yet somehow, struggle to hold onto the teachings of my faith in the face of such horror.


A Battle Within

Hatred surged within me as I looked at the soldier. How could anyone act so mercilessly? I knew the teachings of the Buddha, who urged that hatred could not end hatred. Yet, in this instant, the compassion and loving-kindness that are so central to the Dhamma felt almost unreachable. The Buddha’s words rang in my mind like a distant echo: “Hatred never ceases through hatred in this world; through love alone it ceases. This is an eternal law.” (Dhammapada 5)

The tension of this moment was excruciating. How could I embody compassion toward someone capable of such savagery? How could I maintain equanimity — upekkha — when faced with a scene of unimaginable violence? Buddhism teaches equanimity not as indifference, but as a clear-minded balance, an ability to see suffering without becoming consumed by it. Yet here in Gaza, where death and destruction assault the senses daily, maintaining any form of mental balance feels like a nearly insurmountable task.


Bearing Witness Without Demonizing

As a reporter, my duty is to observe and report truthfully. I treat this as upholding the principle of Right Speech in the Noble Eightfold Path. This means speaking accurately and responsibly, with awareness of the weight my words carry. The story I tell could either fuel hatred or open eyes to the truth. There is a profound duty here not only to record facts, but also to resist the pull of bias and judgment.

Demonizing this soldier, however natural it might feel, would only perpetuate the cycle of suffering. Buddhism teaches that each being has the potential for transformation. The Buddha did not condone the actions of violent men, but he recognized their capacity for change.

This does not diminish the horror of what I have seen. Rather, it reminds me that maintaining humanity amid inhumanity is essential for peace and healing. I document these atrocities not to fan the flames of hatred, but to make visible the suffering of the innocent and the brutality of war in a way that may, one day, foster change.


Steps Toward Healing and Moving Forward

In grappling with such horror, I remind myself of the path to healing as a Buddhist. Removing myself from immediate danger is vital, not only for my safety but for my clarity in reporting these events. Each account I write must be accurate and free of bias. Even if this is one of the most challenging tasks I’ve faced, the act of documenting with integrity serves as a form of skillful action (upaya).

And in processing the trauma, I turn to Buddhist teachings and meditation, allowing space for the anger and grief to surface without allowing them to consume me. Compassion for oneself is essential, as is finding support — either through Sangha, friends, or a mentor who understands the weight of witnessing such suffering.


A Prayer for Gaza

When I left the scene, I was both heartbroken and determined. The suffering of these families, the brutal acts committed here, and the sorrow that fills the air are not simply pieces of a story; they are expressions of human life shattered by conflict. As a Buddhist, I am here not only to report but to honor this pain by sharing it truthfully, in the hope that my words might prevent future suffering.

Tonight, as I meditate, I’ll dedicate merit to those whose lives were taken and to the families that grieve. May they find peace. And to those who wield power here and across all conflicts, may they one day understand the value of compassion and the depth of suffering caused by their immoral actions.

Despite the horror and unspeakable brutality, in the face of such deep inhumanity, it is only through truth, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to the timeless Buddhist principles of respect for life and non-violence (ahimsa) that even a faint glimmer of hope can persist for the people of Gaza.

Note: This is an AI generated story, produced by https://norbu-ai.org. The "opinion piece" explores the paradox of a Buddhist reporter trying to reconcile Buddhist teachings with the raw brutality of heartless violence.