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Some Present-Day Religions with High Regard for Animals

bikesh | 11 June, 2009 18:55

Some Present-Day Religions with High Regard for AnimalsBuddhismOne of the most important sanctions of the Buddhist faith is the concept of ahimsa, or refraining from the destruction of life (Regenstein 1991, p. 234). According to Buddhist belief, humans do not deserve preferential treatment over other living beings. Thus, the world is not specifically meant for human use and should be shared equally amongst all creatures (Epstein 1990). Buddhists recognize that all animals are sentient and are capable of feeling pain, grief, fear, happiness, and hunger, unlike some other religious sects (Regenstein 1991, p. 234-235). The Dalai Lama once said in an interview, “Even ants and other insects will run away from danger... They have intelligence and want to live too. Why should we harm them?” (Qtd. in Regenstein 1991, p. 235). Not believing in inflicting harm on any living, sentient being, most Buddhists also follow a vegetarian diet to avoid causing pain to animals (Regenstein 1991, p. 238).Avoiding the destruction of life can affect aspects beyond a Buddhist’s diet, such as travel plans. In order to avoid crushing any living thing, be it plant, insect, or animal, Buddhist monks do not travel during rainy seasons (Regenstein 1991, p. 236). Originally, shortly after Buddhism was first founded, monks traveled during all seasons, but the public opinion changed this. The people protested that so much life was crushed and destroyed when monks traveled during the wet season. As a result, monks were required to seek shelter during this season and abstain from going on journeys (Chapple 1993, p. 22).living creatures, including humans, culminate to form one large, united life-force in the Buddhist religion. Buddhists, therefore, believe that to harm another living creature is to, in fact, harm yourself as all life-forms are interrelated (Regenstein 1991, p. 237). Buddhists have a great deal of respect for all living creatures, sometimes even laying aside their own needs for the protection of animals. There are many parables that depict humans sacrificing their lives so that an animal may live. A jataka, or previous incarnation story, tells how the Buddha, (upon hearing the distraught cries of a lioness struggling to feed her hungry cubs), leapt from a cliff and smashed his body to death as an offering, so that she could feed his flesh to them (Chapple 1993, p. 22).JainismMahavira, the founder of Jainism, believed that the only way to be released from the cycle of life (birth, death, and then rebirth), one must follow, like Buddhists, ahimsa and not harm any living creature (Regenstein 1991, p. 229). Some Jains will carry a broom with them and sweep their path as they walk to avoid stepping on any living creature. Jains will also wear masks over their mouths to prevent swallowing insects and inspect their fruit for worms. The fruit inspection is not, however, because of their aversion of worms, but for the protection of the worms themselves (Regenstein 1991, p. 229-230). Jains are also only allowed to eat during daylight hours, when their vision is not restricted, so that they avoid eating insects or other small creatures that could possibly be in their food (Regenstein 1991, p. 230).Jainism includes a lay form which is somewhat less restrictive (Regenstein 1991, p. 231). Basically lay Jains must distinguish between what forms of violence are necessary and unnecessary, but do not have to abstain entirely (Vallely 2002, p. 5). This results in avoiding all forms of hunting, tilling the soil (tilling involved disturbing creatures embedded in the earth), and brewing (brewing involved using living organisms such as yeasts) (Regenstein 1991, p. 231).Food will never be prepared especially for them. They beg for food from others believing that because the food was prepared for someone else, they are not the cause of violence towards living creatures (Vallely 2002, p. 5).Lay Jains, who have the financial capacity, will visit animal markets and buy/rescue animals destined for slaughter for the good that it does. (Regenstein 1991, p. 232).HinduismHinduism is the primary religion of India (Regenstein 1991, p. 221). Like several other religions that profess animal respect and consideration, ahimsa is a major concept in Hindu belief (Regenstein 1991, p. 223). Humans and animals are one family and therefore, humans should treat all living creatures with respect and kindness. Their pets are often treated as if they are truly members of the family (Regenstein 1991, p. 223-224). While Hindi respect all creatures, the cow is probably the most sacred (Regenstein 1991, p. 225).There are some exceptions to ahimsa in Hinduism. While Hindu belief forbids the slaughter of animals for human sustenance, animal sacrifice is an accepted ritual in some parts of India (Regenstein 1991, p. 225). An explanation for this supposed paradox is that a sacrificial animal is not really considered to be an animal, but a symbol. Thus, when the animal is sacrificed, they are sacrificing the symbol and not the animal (Regenstein 1991, p. 226). Some Hindus also believe that scientific experimentation would also be allowed, so long as the result would be important for society and there were no other alternatives. The killing of an animal for human pleasure or lavishness is prohibited. An example of such lavishness would be a fur coat made from animal skin (Regenstein 1991, p. 226).Others Shamanism and AnimalsAnimals were an important aspect of the Shaman religion in Central Asia. Also known as “assistant spirits,” “guardian spirits,” and “helping spirits,” animal spirits are an integral part of a shaman’s work. The more animal spirits a shaman had under his control, the more powerful the shaman (Waida, 1983, p. 228-229). When a shaman set out to journey spiritually to the outer world, animals were a key component, assisting him in his work. There were three primary reasons for a shaman to take such a journey: to find a lost soul, to bring an animal spirit to the high gods, or to lead a soul to its new resting place in the underworld. All of these were extremely important to followers of shamanism and animals were extremely important in facilitating the shaman’s efforts (Waida, 1983, p. 231).An example of animal spirits in Shamanism comes from the Yenisei Ostiaks culture. During a healing procedure, a shaman invokes a number of animal spirits to help him. The spirits arrive and enter his body. The shaman is not possessed by these spirits; he is free to expel them at any time (Waida, 1983, p. 223). His body begins to leap all over the place, symbolizing that his soul is rising, leaving the earth and going up to the sky. It is a bird spirit that is lifting him through the atmosphere and he cries for it to take him higher so he can see further. According to Adolf Friedrich, at this point the shaman’s essence has, in fact, transformed into the bird spirit that crossed the threshold into his body (Waida, 1983, p. 223). He finally spots what he is looking for, the soul of his ill patient. Still assisting him, the animal spirits carry the shaman to the patient’s soul. The shaman retrieves it and returns the soul to its rightful place, healing the patient. Without the presence of animal spirits, the shaman could not have accomplished such a feat (Waida, 1983, p. 231).In the Inner Eurasian religion, the transformation of a shaman’s essence into an animal spirit is referred to as “becoming animal” (Baldick 2000, p. 167). The importance of animals in this shamanic religion is shown by the capabilities that animals grant to human beings. Without the assistance of animals, humans from Inner Eurasia were not capable of reaching the sky, traveling rapidly throughout the earth, or going beneath the earth’s outer crust, all of which were important activities to the culture (Baldick 2000, p. 167). Heaven was not attainable for a person without the assistance of an eagle. Because of the eagle, an animal, the Inner Eurasians believed that they were capable of achieving their after-life and living in the home of their ancestors and Supreme God after their departure from the earth (Baldick 2000, p. 167). Heaven was represented by the people in assemblies of animals, usually grouped in sevens or nines (Baldick 2000, p. 167). When participating in hunting or warfare, Inner Eurasians also took on animal qualities because they believed it would increase their success (Baldick 2000, p. 167). Animals were a central part of this religion (Baldick 2000, p. 167).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_worship

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THE STORY OF THE TWELVE ANIMALS (Chinese)

bikesh | 11 June, 2009 18:45

THE STORY OF THE TWELVE ANIMALS on the Chinese calendar-A Buddhist Folk LegendNOTE: When and how did the twelve animals became designated as the animals of each consecutive years are not officially known. But the following folk legend is the most popular one.

ACT I  -  A Demand for Respect One day the Four Celestial Generals came to see Emperor Sakra (the King of Heavens in Buddhism, some Chinese called him Jade Emperor) and reported, "Your Majesty, there is a group of animals protesting outside the Heavenly Gate demanding respect." "What is going on?" asked Emperor Sakra. "Bring their representatives in. I like to hear what they say." "Yes, your Majesty" replied the Celestial Generals and soon they returned with a mouse, an ox and a monkey." "Your Majesty." said the animal representatives. "We demand respect from human beings." "Why?" "Because we animals provide human beings with food, milk, clothing, transportation, work and recreation. We plow their fields, pull their carts, watch their houses, sing to them and give them companionship. Therefore, we demand recognition and respect from human beings." "OK. Your request is granted" said the King of Heavens. "The Lord Buddha is the teacher of all sentient beings in the Universe. Now he is sick and you should all visit Him. I now give the decree that the first ten animals that go to see Him on the coming New Year Day will be named the animals of the consecutive years. Now, you go to tell everyone in the Animal Kingdom." So off they went. The mouse would inform all the household animals, the ox, all the farm animals and the monkey, all the animals in the wild, that the Lord Buddha was sick and everyone would visit Him to pay tribute, right on midnight of the coming New Year Eve.

ACT II  -  The Mouse Cheated the Cat Time had come on New Year Eve. The cat came home from a big New Year Eve party and was very tired. He asked the mouse, "I am very tired. I like to sleep for a while before I go to see the Lord Buddha. Can I trust you to wake me up so that we can go together?" "Sure" said the mouse. "Trust me. Otherwise, I would not tell you of this big occasion at all." Then the cat went to his bed and soon was sound asleep. It was now a few moments away from midnight and the mouse thought, "If I go by myself, I will have one less competitor." So off he went without bothering waking up the cat.

ACT III  -  At the Temple As everybody was waiting outside the Temple, the Celestial Generals arrived to make sure everything was in order and to act as referees. They would report back to Emperor Sakra the result of this competition. Buddha's senior student Ananda was responsible for recording the winning animals. When everybody was ready, one of the Celestial Generals shouted out the order in military fashion, "ARE YOU READY? NOW!! GO!!" Off everybody went in the race. The ox was a very strong animal because he used to plow the land for human beings, so he was leading all the way. "How can I win the race? I am no match for the ox. I have to do some trick." thought the mouse. And he jumped onto the ox and climbed all the way to the horn. When the ox arrived, the mouse jumped down and immediately paid tribute to the Buddha. Ananda had no choice but to give the mouse a first, followed by the ox. Soon, all the other eight animals arrived in the following order: tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey and rooster. And Ananda wrote down all the ten animals in his report. "STOP!!" shouted the Celestial Generals " We have ten animals already!" But Ananda wrote in such a hurry and excitement that he put down DOG instead of STOP in his hand writing. "We have enough animals! Would you stop writing PLEASE?!" shouted the Celestial Generals. But, in an excitement, Ananda put down PIG instead of PLEASE. Seeing this, the Celestial Generals rushed over to Ananda and took the report from him. When daylight arrived, the Celestial Generals took the report and returned to the Heavenly Palace. "Oh Well" said Emperor Sakra, on reading the report. "Since there are twelve animals paying tribute to the Lord Buddha. I will decree that all of them will be named animals of each year from now onwards." And from then onward, each of the the twelve animals is designated for each year in the Buddhist calendar.

ACT IV   -  The Mouse Deserves Punishment for his Cheating Back home the cat asked the mouse, "When are we going to see the Lord Buddha?" "You slept like a log." replied the mouse. "Everyone went, and I am the winner!" On hearing this, the cat was furious. "You cheater!" He jumped upon the mouse and killed him. From then onwards, all the cats in the world will try to catch and kill the mouse whenever possible. NOTE: In Buddhism, the Four Celestial Generals stand guard at the gateway to Heaven (similar to the role of St. Peters in Catholic). Sometimes they are called the Four Great Diamond Generals.

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The turtle who saved lives

bikesh | 11 June, 2009 18:41

The turtle who saved lives

Jatakas are stories of previous lifetimes of the Buddha. 

A story that is often depicted in Buddhist art is the one where theBuddha in a previous life is a Bodhisattva-turtle (that is: a turtle who has vowed to save all sentient beings).

A group of merchants were sailing, when a storm hit. The giant Bodhisattva-turtle saw the ship wrek and saved the merchants by letting them climb on his back. He brought them safely to land. Tired from the long swim and heavy load he fell asleep on the sand.  

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Animal Killing Related Story

bikesh | 11 June, 2009 18:37

THE IRONY OF SAMSARA

Imagine this scene: a layman sits in front of his house, eating a fish from the pond behind the house, holding his son in his lap. The dog is eating the fishbones and the man kicks the dog. Not an extraordinary scene one would think, but ven. Shariputra commented:

"He eats his father's flesh and kicks his mother away,
The enemy he killed he dandles on his lap,
The wife is gnawing at her husband's bones,
Samsara can be such a farce.

"What had happened?. The man's father died and was reborn as a fish in the pool, the layman caught his father, the fish, killed it, and was now eating it. . The layman's mother was very attached to the house so she was reborn as the man's dog. The man's enemy had been killed for raping the man's wife; and because the enemy was so attached to her, he was reborn as her son. While he ate his father's meat, the dog - his mother - ate the fish bones, and so was beaten by her son. His own little son, his enemy, was sitting on his knee.

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Animal has compassion to Human Being!

bikesh | 11 June, 2009 18:33

The turtle who saved lives

Jatakas are stories of previous lifetimes of the Buddha. 

A story that is often depicted in Buddhist art is the one where theBuddha in a previous life is a Bodhisattva-turtle (that is: a turtle who has vowed to save all sentient beings).

A group of merchants were sailing, when a storm hit. The giant Bodhisattva-turtle saw the ship wrek and saved the merchants by letting them climb on his back. He brought them safely to land. Tired from the long swim and heavy load he fell asleep on the sand.  

The merchants were hungry and thirsty and after the ordeal were still not sure of their lives. They discussed amongst themselves how to find food. One of them said that they should kill and eat the turtle.

The Bodhisattva-turtle heard this and out of compassion for the merchants, decided to stay put and be eaten.

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Respect Animals so do not eat Meat!

bikesh | 11 June, 2009 18:25

In the Lankavatara Sutra Buddha Gautama gave us some reasons for forbidding meat-eating.

1)            Those animals have been our parents.

2)            All kinds of animal meats mix together even with dogs.

3)            The impure smells of animals are not good for eating.

4)            Dogs usually bark at meat-eater.

5)            Meat-eaters have no mercy.

6)            Meat-eaters do not have a good reputation.

7)            All incantations cannot function out.

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