Theologically-speaking, good is not the core value to Buddhism the way good is the core value of Zoroastrianism.
According to some Zen Buddhists, the proverbial Nazi excuse “I was just following orders” is actually quite enlightened. If you are literally just following orders, without any attachment (you neither enjoy nor abhor guarding the concentration camp, for example), then you don’t collect any karma for your actions. Being horrified would be a sign of spiritual immaturity, and probably would get you reincarnated as an animal. You might be allowed to write a short poem about wilting sakura flowers after your shift ends, though.
Orders are just an abstraction though, we refer to some nexus of intent, information, compulsion, etc., when we use the word. It’s impossible to ’literally follow orders’ and nothing else.
For example, our hearts still need to beat roughly 60 times a minute, even if ordered to stay still. We can only figuratively, superficially ‘stay still’.
According to some Zen Buddhists, the proverbial Nazi excuse “I was just following orders” is actually quite enlightened. If you are literally just following orders, without any attachment (you neither enjoy nor abhor guarding the concentration camp, for example), then you don’t collect any karma for your actions. Being horrified would be a sign of spiritual immaturity, and probably would get you reincarnated as an animal. You might be allowed to write a short poem about wilting sakura flowers after your shift ends, though.
Orders are just an abstraction though, we refer to some nexus of intent, information, compulsion, etc., when we use the word. It’s impossible to ’literally follow orders’ and nothing else.
For example, our hearts still need to beat roughly 60 times a minute, even if ordered to stay still. We can only figuratively, superficially ‘stay still’.