When today, people talk of Buddhism, they are stuck in the 19th century understanding of Buddhism, which is based on the translation of Pali scriptures, especially the Tripitaka and the Jataka tales. These form the bulk of the oldest form of Buddhism known as Theravada, the way of the elders. However, in its long history of 2,500 years, Buddhism has had many schools of thought, many ideas which manifest in different kinds of texts and artworks. They reveal that Buddhism has all kinds of forms, not all pacifist.

It is important to make note Buddhism was patronised by kings who knew the importance of power. This power was gathered through violence. Therefore, we find Buddha or Buddha-like images holding weapons in royal Buddhist art.