Buddhist Concern for Animals

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Comment by Emma on June 20, 2009 at 5:21pm

I guess that might spark a few controversial comments in the news.
But I dont really think it would make much of an impression to people with power who can change things.
I doubt very much that the government will see any point in changing how we eat, or how we choose to treat animals.

Comment by David Meanwell on June 19, 2009 at 11:42pm

Hi again Emma,

Tesco..... I'm so glad I don't have to shop there. Given the hard time Hugh Fernely-Whittingstall (apols if misspelt) had trying to get them to sell organic free range chicken I guess it would be poitless to ask them to stock lentils, etc.

Of course there are more ways to work for animals other than "just" not eating them. Would it be good to see some Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people taking part in marches and demonstrations. I wonder what reaction an enrobed Buddhist hunt monitor would evoke?

David

Comment by Emma on June 19, 2009 at 6:18pm

Well, im getting the proverbial brain going by adding to the disscussion. Thats our way of getting more people engaged into thinking about this topic. And possibly we can move foward with a few new ideas.
And i live in wales- theres no such thing as sainsburys or Ocado here, not even in swansea which is 60 miles away.
A lot of places are still in the past and need to catch up with todays thinking about having more choice and lower prices in supermarkets. Here in tescos all the healthy living options cost more than to buy a meal including chicken or beef. And our tescos dooesnt sell lentils, tofu, or quorn products. Were lucky that we can get a few potatoes and vegetables.
I guess thats what i mean when society isnt ready as a whole to move on into a vegetarian era and healthier lifestyle.
I personally have a great bond with animals and dont wish to see them harmed. But unfortunately capitalistic society is very demanding upon our animal society.

Comment by David Meanwell on June 19, 2009 at 11:30am

Hi Emma,

Actually I was trying to explore ways we could get more Amida and other Buddhists to work for animals, and more Amida "members" to join this group. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

On the subject of primeval instincts, I'd recommend going to http://worldpeacediet.org/ and downloading the free pdf of "The World Peace Diet". Thought provoking reading.

Finally, I don't buy into the theory that it's more expensive being a vegetarian, nor that there's a lack of choice - although that might dpend on where you live. I get my food largely from Sainsbury's and Ocado and find no lack of variety nor of offers on veggy items. As for price; tofu, Quorn, TVP, lentils, etc. are cheaper than the meat alternatives if you leave concentration camp chickens out of the equation.

David

Comment by Emma on June 19, 2009 at 9:03am

David your bit about trying to convert other people into thinking the same lines as a buddhist wouldnt work.
Humans as a role still rely on primeval instincts. Including carnivorus eating and bludgeoning of animals to death. They still have this basic need to fulfill that from back in the hunter gatherer times.
Although we have evolved a fair bit through the ages, many peoples brains are still unevolved.
Also while supermarkets and retailers are doing special offers daily on meat products and making the healthy foods and vegetarian options more expensive, we have to look at society as a whole and ask, is the worl ready for such a transition and can people afford such a "good"quality of life from such a changeover.
I know my parents couldnt afford it the way these prices are in local supermarkets. Also there isnt enough range or choice to get people to choose enough to "satisfy" their tastebuds.

As to how we can resist the oppression of animals, thats very simple, dont buy anything with animal deritaves in it. Of course thats easier said than done, most products today have something either tested on animals or has some part of an animal in it. But we will never get the whole world to change their ways while the minds of these people live in suffering themselves.

Comment by Emma on June 17, 2009 at 6:04pm

Aww the poor goats. Yes they have a right to live as does every sentient being. Did you know that celtic/ druids beleive that even plants are sentient beings and say they have a right to exist just as much as an animal.
I dont think slaughter of animals is a good thing, but if its true about the plants isnt that just the same and dooms us all either way?

Comment by GH Ho on June 17, 2009 at 4:33pm

Would story telling be a good way to awaken our minds to animals' right to exist? One day when I was on the golf course I saw 2 goats being tied to the tree and on getting nearer , I could see tears rolling down from their eyes and they were squealing in distress. I thought the owners were just tying them up temporarily and it was my imagination to see their tears. The caddy says the goats have been tied up and crying the whole night through and will be slaughtered in the afternoon to celebrate some festival. The next day, the strings were empty and the squeals were gone. Do you think the goats had a right to live? They were helpless, crying for their right to live and the mercy of the butcher's knife. Food for thought...

Comment by David Meanwell on June 17, 2009 at 3:44pm

Elsewhere on this site it says:

"At Amida Trust we have commonly said that engaged Buddhism has three levels of operation:
- Resist oppression
- Assist the afflicted
- Demonstrate an alternative"

And it seems to me that this fits very well with our concenr for animals. So could I pose a few questions in the hope of getting answers and a debate started:

1. How do we attract more members to the group - there are only 21 of us.

2. How can we personally best resist the opression of animals and persuade others, Buddhist or not, to resist in similiar ways?

3. What could we, as Engaged Buddhists, do to actively assist afflicted animals?

4. Clearly veganism or vegetarianism is one alternative. How could those of us who are vegetarian or vegan help our fellow members who are either carnivores or vegetarians move to veganism (something I've never managed)? And what other alternatives could we be demonstrating to the wider world?

Hoping for thought-provoking replies!

David

Comment by Amaya on May 10, 2009 at 1:55pm

http://veg-tv.info/Earthlings

Comment by Amaya on May 10, 2009 at 1:54pm

EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.

With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, EARTHLINGS uses hidden cameras and never before seen footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. There are many worthy animal rights films available, but this one transcends the setting. EARTHLINGS cries to be seen. Highly recommended!

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