1. Michael Zimmermann Center for Buddhist Studies University of Hamburg
When Compassion Trumps Non-Violence: Mahayana Codes of Conduct for Bodhisattvas and Kings
Michael Zimmermann
Center for Buddhist Studies
University of Hamburg

2. The Five Precepts Non-killing, non-injury (ahimsa)
Avoiding theft and cheating
Avoiding sexual misconduct
Avoiding lying and other forms of wrong speech
Avoiding intoxicants

3. Laying aside violence in respect of all beings, both those which are still and those which move, he should not kill a living being, nor cause to kill, nor approve of others killing. (Suttanipata 394)
Abandoning the killing of living beings, he abstains from this; with rod and weapon laid aside, gentle, with sympathy, caring for the welfare of all living beings… (Majjhima Nikaya 1.345; cf. Digha Nikaya 1.4)

4. Bodhisattvabhumi (Stages of the bodhisattva)
... the bodhisattva may behold a robber or thief engaged in committing a great many deeds of immediate retribution, being about to murder many hundreds of magnificent living beings — auditors, independent buddhas, and bodhisattvas---for the sake of a few material goods. …

5. Seeing it, he forms this thought in his mind: “If I take the life of this sentient being, I myself may be reborn as one of the creatures of hell. Better that I be reborn a creature of hell than that this living being, having committed a deed of immediate retribution, should go straight to hell.”
With such an attitude the bodhisattva ascertains that the thought is virtuous ... and then, … takes the life of that living being. There is no fault, but spread of much merit.

6. A king has made use of the [above-mentioned three] steps and prepared [his armed forces] for battle. Even if he kills or wounds the enemy warriors, not the smallest blemish, not [a trace] of misfortune and no [negative karmic] consequences fall his way. Why not? Because he has performed his tasks in an attitude of compassion and with no sense of resignation. A king who protects his subjects and offers his [life] and his material possessions for his children, wives and clan obtains immeasurable religious merit.