Buddhist Concern for Animals

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Comment by Maiku on April 27, 2009 at 12:06pm

Yesterday, Sunday, April 26, we had our eco-fair at our church. We started off with a inter-faith environmental service. There was the Christian pastor, a Pagan and myself, a Buddhist priest. I spoke about engaged Buddhism and the current trend of many Buddhists to attempt to bring the Pure Land to Earth. As such, I mentioned the move towards concern for animals. After the service, we had an eco-fair in our parking lot. My eco-vegetarian booth was set up and as fate or Amida would have it, it was right beside the hamburger BBQ. This meant that everyone had to stand in line, just 2 inches from my booth as they waited to get their hot dogs and hamburgers. We did have veggie dogs and burgers. A couple of the people told me that they had originally lined up to get a meat hot dog or burger but changed their mind after reading my literature and got veggie ones instead. Later that evening, I did another service on my own and talked once again about compassion and animals. Overall it was a great day for getting the word out about engaged Buddhism and animal concerns.

Comment by Susthama on March 4, 2009 at 5:56pm

I agree that it is bound to come up - I know that when I am faced with a question about how Pureland is distinct from other forms of Buddhism I usually use regard for animals as 'other' with their own right to exist that has absolutely nothing to do with oneself as a distinctly different way of approaching the world.

And once we see them as other with their own reasons for existing and their own right to live and die just like humans then they are no longer seen as food, or a utility for humans but as an 'other' that deserves just as much respect as another human being.

Comment by Maiku on March 2, 2009 at 4:55pm

This past week I finished up teaching two courses on Buddhism. In one of the classes, a couple were also vegetarian and, while I had mentioned I was a vegetarian to the class, early in the course, one of the students asked some interesting questions about Buddhism and vegetarianism and it gave us an opportunity to discuss it as a whole.

In the past I have geard a number of talks to just Buddhism and Animal Rights. However, even if that is not the main point of all my courses, I always do find a way to mention animal rights and vegetarianism sometime within the course of the study.

Comment by Susthama on February 24, 2009 at 12:17pm

yes - I've got one by Tony Page, called Buddhism and Animals. I just did a search and came across a blogpost about it: http://monkeythree.blogspot.com/2004/08/dr-tony-page-author-of-buddhism-and.html

Comment by Maiku on February 11, 2009 at 9:08pm

That would be a great idea, Susthama. There are a number of books out on the subject and some rather good web-sites.

Comment by Susthama on February 11, 2009 at 8:54pm

Great to see everyone's comments -

This morning I was flipping through the Quaker's concern for animals newsletter which was brilliant. Lots of inspiring articles, quotes from religious texts (not just Christian ones) input from representatives of other faiths etc. It would be great to compile some Buddhist literature - texts and sayings that have to do with taking care of other sentient beings.

Comment by Maiku on February 11, 2009 at 7:34pm

Looking forward to chatting with folks here regarding animal concerns. I've been an animal rights activist and vegetarian for almost 25 years now. Always looking for new ways to help out our four legged, multi-legged, legless and what ever, type of fellow sentient beings..

Comment by leekelleynd on February 7, 2009 at 7:06pm

Amaya, I was able to click it, so I've passed it along to several others.
Thanks for the tip. I love all animals.

Lee

Comment by leekelleynd on February 7, 2009 at 3:45am

Hi Amaya,

I just read your missive, and went to the rescue site, but I
just got a list of other sites; certainly no purple bar.
I'd really like to help and pass it along, so if you have another site
or the exact web site, let me know.
Thanks,
Lee

Comment by Stephanie on November 14, 2008 at 7:11pm

Hi Amaya,
I just read your post about the The Animal Rescue site and Ive sent it on and put it on my blog!
Thanks for the link. Stephanie.

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