Difference between revisions of "Non-killing days"
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While the early [[Buddhists]] considered {{Wiki|killing}} for any [[reason]] to be wrong they also [[recognized]] that many [[people]] did not agree with them, that some [[people]] might want to kill a chicken to have for lunch and that other [[people]] enjoyed [[hunting]]. | While the early [[Buddhists]] considered {{Wiki|killing}} for any [[reason]] to be wrong they also [[recognized]] that many [[people]] did not agree with them, that some [[people]] might want to kill a chicken to have for lunch and that other [[people]] enjoyed [[hunting]]. | ||
| − | Not wanting to impose their values on others while at the same time hoping to create a more humane [[society]], the {{Wiki|custom}} developed in [[India]] to have what were called [[non-killing days]] (māghāta, Vin.I,217) when no criminals were executed, no [[animals]] were slaughtered and no [[hunting]] was allowed. Such days were usually announced by the beat of a [[drum]] (Ja.IV,115). | + | Not wanting to impose their values on others while at the same time hoping to create a more humane [[society]], the {{Wiki|custom}} developed in [[India]] to have what were called [[non-killing days]] ([[māghāta]], Vin.I,217) when no criminals were executed, no [[animals]] were slaughtered and no [[hunting]] was allowed. |
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| + | Such days were usually announced by the beat of a [[drum]] (Ja.IV,115). | ||
In 243 BCE [[King Aśoka]] issued an {{Wiki|edict}} banning the {{Wiki|killing}}, castrating or branding of [[animals]] on certain days of every month. | In 243 BCE [[King Aśoka]] issued an {{Wiki|edict}} banning the {{Wiki|killing}}, castrating or branding of [[animals]] on certain days of every month. | ||
| − | The {{Wiki|custom}} of observing [[non-killing days]] survived even up to the {{Wiki|Muslim}} period. In his Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri the [[emperor]] Jahangir (reigned 1605-27) wrote: ‘I ordered that each year from the 18th of Rabiu-l-awal which is my [[birthday]], for the number of days corresponding to the years of my [[life]], that [[people]] should not slaughter [[animals]] for [[food]].’ | + | The {{Wiki|custom}} of observing [[non-killing days]] survived even up to the {{Wiki|Muslim}} period. |
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| + | In his [[Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri]] the [[emperor]] Jahangir (reigned 1605-27) wrote: ‘I ordered that each year from the 18th of [[Rabiu-l-awal]] which is my [[birthday]], for the number of days corresponding to the years of my [[life]], that [[people]] should not slaughter [[animals]] for [[food]].’ | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=287 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=287 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 04:28, 8 January 2016
While the early Buddhists considered killing for any reason to be wrong they also recognized that many people did not agree with them, that some people might want to kill a chicken to have for lunch and that other people enjoyed hunting.
Not wanting to impose their values on others while at the same time hoping to create a more humane society, the custom developed in India to have what were called non-killing days (māghāta, Vin.I,217) when no criminals were executed, no animals were slaughtered and no hunting was allowed.
Such days were usually announced by the beat of a drum (Ja.IV,115).
In 243 BCE King Aśoka issued an edict banning the killing, castrating or branding of animals on certain days of every month.
The custom of observing non-killing days survived even up to the Muslim period.
In his Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri the emperor Jahangir (reigned 1605-27) wrote: ‘I ordered that each year from the 18th of Rabiu-l-awal which is my birthday, for the number of days corresponding to the years of my life, that people should not slaughter animals for food.’
