This projects explores the similarities and differences among a wide range of religious approaches on issues of war & peace, especially the use of armed force. So far, studies include:

the ways in which U Thant, the Buddhist former UN Secretary-General, dealt with ethical dilemmas during his tenure at the helm of the United Nations (1961-72), especially the robust use of force by UN troops in the Congo (1961-64); See  U Thant: Buddhism in Action (pdf)

War & Peace in World Religions (Scriptural Justifications): the approaches advocated in the major scriptures of seven world religions, resulting in a series of three Research Reports:

Part II: Religions of Indic Origin (pdf) (Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism)

Part III: Comparison of Seven World Religions (pdf) comparing extracts from scriptures. Abstract (html).

A paper on Sikhism, titled "The Sword and the Turban: The Use of Armed Force in Sikh Thought," was published in 2011 in Journal of Military Ethics. The full paper available in html or  pdf format. A companion paper is now being developed on "The Modern Sikh Warrior: Rebel, Soldier, Citizen."

Other religions are also being studied, including Baha'ism and religions of Far Eastern origin (Chinese traditional).

A general comparison of the Eastern/Western approaches to peace is provided in Lotus on the Lake: Eastern Spirituality & World Peace (html) (pdf). Also available in Japanese translation (pdf).

This religious studies endeavour runs in parallel with a research endeavour on the ethical justifications for war & peace, titled the Just War project.