Difference between revisions of "The Buddhist Attitude to Animal Life"
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[[Buddhism]] cannot accept that [[animals]] were created by someone for men; if [[animals]] were created for men then it could follow that men were also created for [[animals]] since there are some [[animals]] which eat [[human]] flesh. | [[Buddhism]] cannot accept that [[animals]] were created by someone for men; if [[animals]] were created for men then it could follow that men were also created for [[animals]] since there are some [[animals]] which eat [[human]] flesh. | ||
| − | [[Buddhists]] are encouraged to [[love]] [[all living beings]] and not to restrict their [[love]] only to [[human beings]]. They should practise [[loving kindness]] towards every [[living being]]. The [[Buddha's]] advice is that is not right for us to take away the [[life]] of any [[living being]] since every [[living being]] has a right to [[exist]]. [[Animals]] also have {{Wiki|fear}} and [[pain]] as do [[human beings]]. It is wrong to take away their [[lives]]. We should not misuse our [[intelligence]] and strength to destroy [[animals]] even though they may sometimes be a nuisance to us. [[Animals]] need our [[sympathy]]. Destroying them is not the only method to get rid of them. Every [[living being]] is contributing something to maintain this [[world]]. It is unfair for us to deprive their living rights. | + | [[Buddhists]] are encouraged to [[love]] [[all living beings]] and not to restrict their [[love]] only to [[human beings]]. They should practise [[loving kindness]] towards every [[living being]]. The [[Buddha's]] advice is that is not right for us to take away the [[life]] of any [[living being]] since every [[living being]] has a right to [[exist]]. [[Animals]] also have {{Wiki|fear}} and [[pain]] as do [[human beings]]. It is wrong to take away their |
| + | |||
| + | [[lives]]. We should not {{Wiki|misuse}} our [[intelligence]] and strength to destroy [[animals]] even though they may sometimes be a nuisance to us. [[Animals]] need our [[sympathy]]. Destroying them is not the only method to get rid of them. Every [[living being]] is contributing something to maintain this [[world]]. It is unfair for us to deprive their living rights. | ||
In his Handbook of [[reason]], D. Runes says: | In his Handbook of [[reason]], D. Runes says: | ||
| − | 'We can hardly speak of {{Wiki|morals}} in [[relation]] to creatures we systematically devour, mostly singed but sometimes raw. There are men and women who practise [[horse]] [[love]], {{Wiki|dog}} [[love]], {{Wiki|cat}} [[love]]. But these very same [[people]] would take a {{Wiki|deer}} or a calf by its neck, slit its {{Wiki|throat}}, drink the {{Wiki|blood}} straight away or in a pudding, and bite off the flesh. And who is to say that a [[horse]] they cherish is nobler than a {{Wiki|deer}} they feed on? Indeed, there are [[people]] who eat cats, {{Wiki|dogs}} and [[horses]] but would use a {{Wiki|cow}} only as a work [[animal]].' | + | 'We can hardly speak of {{Wiki|morals}} in [[relation]] to creatures we systematically devour, mostly singed but sometimes raw. There are men and women who practise [[horse]] [[love]], {{Wiki|dog}} [[love]], {{Wiki|cat}} [[love]]. But these very same [[people]] would take a {{Wiki|deer}} or a calf by its |
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | neck, slit its {{Wiki|throat}}, drink the {{Wiki|blood}} straight away or in a pudding, and bite off the flesh. And who is to say that a [[horse]] they cherish is nobler than a {{Wiki|deer}} they feed on? Indeed, there are [[people]] who eat cats, {{Wiki|dogs}} and [[horses]] but would use a {{Wiki|cow}} only as a work [[animal]].' | ||
| − | Some cry over a little bird or goldfish that expired; others travel long distances to catch {{Wiki|fish}} on a nasty hook for [[food]] or mere [[pleasure]] or shooting birds for fun. Some go into deep jungle for [[hunting]] [[animals]] as a game while others spend a lot to keep the same [[animals]] at home as their pets. | + | Some cry over a little bird or goldfish that expired; others travel long distances to catch {{Wiki|fish}} on a nasty hook for [[food]] or mere [[pleasure]] or shooting birds for fun. Some go into deep jungle for [[hunting]] [[animals]] as a game while others spend a lot to keep the same [[animals]] at home as their [[pets]]. |
Some keep frogs to foretell the weather; others cut off their {{Wiki|legs}} and fry them. Some tenderly tend birds in gilded cages; others serve them for breakfast. It is all quite confusing. One [[thought]] stands out in a [[world]] where man clubs man for gain or sheer gore, there is hardly [[time]] to ponder over his {{Wiki|morals}} in [[relation]] to [[animals]]. | Some keep frogs to foretell the weather; others cut off their {{Wiki|legs}} and fry them. Some tenderly tend birds in gilded cages; others serve them for breakfast. It is all quite confusing. One [[thought]] stands out in a [[world]] where man clubs man for gain or sheer gore, there is hardly [[time]] to ponder over his {{Wiki|morals}} in [[relation]] to [[animals]]. | ||
| − | Every [[religion]] advises us to [[love]] our fellow [[humans]]. Some even teach us to [[love]] them more if they belong to the same [[religion]]. But [[Buddhism]] is supreme in that it teaches u s to show {{Wiki|equal}} care and [[compassion]] for each and every creature in the [[universe]]. The destruction of any creature represents a disturbance of the [[Universal]] Order. | + | Every [[religion]] advises us to [[love]] our fellow [[humans]]. Some even teach us to [[love]] them more if they belong to the same [[religion]]. But [[Buddhism]] is supreme in that it teaches u s to show {{Wiki|equal}} [[care]] and [[compassion]] for each and every creature in the [[universe]]. The destruction of any creature represents a {{Wiki|disturbance}} of the [[Universal]] Order. |
| + | |||
The [[Buddha]] was very clear in His teachings against any [[form]] of [[cruelty]] to any [[living being]]. One day the [[Buddha]] saw a man preparing to make a [[animal sacrifice]]. On being asked why he was going to kill innocent [[animals]], the man replied that it was because it would please the [[gods]]. The [[Buddha]] then [[offered]] Himself as the {{Wiki|sacrifice}}, saying that if the [[life]] of an [[animal]] would please the [[gods]] then the [[life]] of a [[human being]], more valuable, would please the [[gods]] even more. | The [[Buddha]] was very clear in His teachings against any [[form]] of [[cruelty]] to any [[living being]]. One day the [[Buddha]] saw a man preparing to make a [[animal sacrifice]]. On being asked why he was going to kill innocent [[animals]], the man replied that it was because it would please the [[gods]]. The [[Buddha]] then [[offered]] Himself as the {{Wiki|sacrifice}}, saying that if the [[life]] of an [[animal]] would please the [[gods]] then the [[life]] of a [[human being]], more valuable, would please the [[gods]] even more. | ||
| − | Man's [[cruelty]] towards [[animals]] is another expression of his uncontrolled [[greed]]. Today we destroy [[animals]] and deprive them of their natural rights so that we can expend our environments for our convenience. But we are already beginning to pay the price for this [[selfish]] and {{Wiki|cruel}} act. Our environment is threatened and if we do not take stern measures for the survival of other creatures, [[our own existence]] on this [[earth]] may not be guaranteed. It is true that the [[existence]] of certain creatures is a threat to [[human existence]]. But we never consider that [[human]] are the greatest threat to every [[living being]] on this [[earth]] and in the [[air]] whereas the [[existence]] of other creatures is a threat only to certain [[living beings]]. | + | Man's [[cruelty]] towards [[animals]] is another expression of his uncontrolled [[greed]]. Today we destroy [[animals]] and deprive them of their natural rights so that we can expend our environments for our convenience. But we are already beginning to pay the price for this [[selfish]] and {{Wiki|cruel}} act. Our {{Wiki|environment}} is threatened and if we do not take stern measures for the survival of other creatures, [[our own existence]] on this [[earth]] may |
| + | |||
| + | not be guaranteed. It is true that the [[existence]] of certain creatures is a threat to [[human existence]]. But we never consider that [[human]] are the greatest threat to every [[living being]] on this [[earth]] and in the [[air]] whereas the [[existence]] of other creatures is a threat only to certain [[living beings]]. | ||
| − | Since every creature contributes something for the maintenance of the {{Wiki|planet}} and {{Wiki|atmosphere}}, destroying them is not the solution to overcome our {{Wiki|disturbances}}. We should take other measures to maintain the [[balance]] of [[nature]]. | + | Since every creature contributes something for the maintenance of the {{Wiki|planet}} and {{Wiki|atmosphere}}, destroying them is not the {{Wiki|solution}} to overcome our {{Wiki|disturbances}}. We should take other measures to maintain the [[balance]] of [[nature]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/dhammananda/170.htm www.ic.sunysb.edu] | [http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/dhammananda/170.htm www.ic.sunysb.edu] | ||
[[Category:Animals]] | [[Category:Animals]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:16, 6 January 2024
Buddhist Attitude to Animal Life
If we believe that animals were created by someone for men, it would follow that men were also created for animals since some animals do eat human flesh.
Animals are said to be conscious only of the present. They live with no concern for the past or future. Likewise, little children seem to have no notion of the future. They also live in the present until their faculties of memory and imagination are developed.
Men possesses the faculty of reasoning. The gap between man and animal widens only to the extent that man develops his reasoning faculty and acts accordingly. Buddhists accept that animals not only possesses instinctive power but also, to a lesser degree, thinking power.
In some respects, animals are superior to men. Dogs have a keener sense of hearing; insects have a keener sense of smell; hawks are speedier; eagles can see a greater distance. Undoubtedly, men are wiser; but men have so much to learn from the ants and bees. Much of the animal is still in us. But we also have much more: we have the potential of spiritual development.
Buddhism cannot accept that animals were created by someone for men; if animals were created for men then it could follow that men were also created for animals since there are some animals which eat human flesh.
Buddhists are encouraged to love all living beings and not to restrict their love only to human beings. They should practise loving kindness towards every living being. The Buddha's advice is that is not right for us to take away the life of any living being since every living being has a right to exist. Animals also have fear and pain as do human beings. It is wrong to take away their
lives. We should not misuse our intelligence and strength to destroy animals even though they may sometimes be a nuisance to us. Animals need our sympathy. Destroying them is not the only method to get rid of them. Every living being is contributing something to maintain this world. It is unfair for us to deprive their living rights.
In his Handbook of reason, D. Runes says:
'We can hardly speak of morals in relation to creatures we systematically devour, mostly singed but sometimes raw. There are men and women who practise horse love, dog love, cat love. But these very same people would take a deer or a calf by its
neck, slit its throat, drink the blood straight away or in a pudding, and bite off the flesh. And who is to say that a horse they cherish is nobler than a deer they feed on? Indeed, there are people who eat cats, dogs and horses but would use a cow only as a work animal.'
Some cry over a little bird or goldfish that expired; others travel long distances to catch fish on a nasty hook for food or mere pleasure or shooting birds for fun. Some go into deep jungle for hunting animals as a game while others spend a lot to keep the same animals at home as their pets.
Some keep frogs to foretell the weather; others cut off their legs and fry them. Some tenderly tend birds in gilded cages; others serve them for breakfast. It is all quite confusing. One thought stands out in a world where man clubs man for gain or sheer gore, there is hardly time to ponder over his morals in relation to animals.
Every religion advises us to love our fellow humans. Some even teach us to love them more if they belong to the same religion. But Buddhism is supreme in that it teaches u s to show equal care and compassion for each and every creature in the universe. The destruction of any creature represents a disturbance of the Universal Order.
The Buddha was very clear in His teachings against any form of cruelty to any living being. One day the Buddha saw a man preparing to make a animal sacrifice. On being asked why he was going to kill innocent animals, the man replied that it was because it would please the gods. The Buddha then offered Himself as the sacrifice, saying that if the life of an animal would please the gods then the life of a human being, more valuable, would please the gods even more.
Man's cruelty towards animals is another expression of his uncontrolled greed. Today we destroy animals and deprive them of their natural rights so that we can expend our environments for our convenience. But we are already beginning to pay the price for this selfish and cruel act. Our environment is threatened and if we do not take stern measures for the survival of other creatures, our own existence on this earth may
not be guaranteed. It is true that the existence of certain creatures is a threat to human existence. But we never consider that human are the greatest threat to every living being on this earth and in the air whereas the existence of other creatures is a threat only to certain living beings.
Since every creature contributes something for the maintenance of the planet and atmosphere, destroying them is not the solution to overcome our disturbances. We should take other measures to maintain the balance of nature.
