Dharma Q+A with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim:  Is Revenge Ever Acceptable?
BDG: Buddhistdoor Global
[{'start': '4.944', 'end': '7.977', 'text': 'Is Revenge Ever Acceptable? (Questioner) Sunim,  is revenge ever acceptable? When my loved one is suffering because of a vicious person, is it okay for me to fight back and take revenge from the person for their actions? (Sunim) If you want vengeance, go ahead and do it. But you have to be willing  to accept negative consequences. There is nothing in this world that says, "You can\'t do something." If you do those actions, you might invite even the worst consequences. We saw it in the recent Academy Awards. Will Smith thought Chris Rock  was making fun of his wife. So, he went up to the stage  and slapped him. What happened to him? How have the consequences been? It is okay for you to take vengeance. If you\'re willing to give up your Oscar, resign from the Academy, and maybe  even do some jail time. Whether that\'s better or whether it\'s better not to, whether better it\'s to restrain yourself  and not engage in violence, that\'s your choice to make. So, first, you have to ask a question. "Is this good or bad for me?" Then, you also have to ask the question whether it\'s good or bad for others. If it\'s bad for me and bad for others, the Buddha taught, "Why engage  in such a foolish action? If you have engaged in a foolish action, then you have to accept  the consequences of the action. If you have already  performed such a foolish action, then you have to be willing to accept  the bad consequences. But if you don\'t want to,  then pause right here now.'}]