nonviolence is an overriding theme within the pali canon. while the early texts condemn killing in the strongest terms, and portray the ideal ing as a pacifist, such a king is nonetheless flanked by an army. it seems that the buddha's teaching on nonviolence was not interpreted or put into practice in an uncompromisingly pacifist or anti-military-service way by early buddhists. the early texts assume war to be a fact of life, and well-skilled warriors are viewed as necessary for defensive warfare. in pali texts, injunctions to abstain from violence and involvement with military affairs are directed at members of the sangha; later mahayana texts, which often generalize monastic norms to laity,require this of lay people as well.