Beginning with the Buddha himself, animal rights have been a central teaching of Buddhism. Animals cannot be treated as property to be used and abused by humans. Buddhist monks, for example, have always been forbidden from owning and riding animals. Monks and nuns walk. The not so subtle example raises the question why do humans think they have the right to enslave an animal for human convenience?
Another Buddhist custom is that of buying and releasing captive animals held for slaughter - catfish, goats, sheep, hens etc. On special occasions such as one's birthday or Vesak, the Buddha's birthday, it is customary to buy and release a captured creature. With changing times, that concept is being refined. Here's a recent news post I came across on www.buddhistdor.net:
As Buddhist communities gather in observance of Vesak, the Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) and other experts are encouraging Buddhists in Singapore to consider alternatives to the practice of life release—making merit by releasing captive animals into the wild—during Vesak celebrations. Expressing concern over the unintended impact of life release on ecosystems and on the animals themselves, they have been urging Buddhists to consider more skillful expressions of compassion, such as adopting a meat-free diet or supporting animal shelters.
“It will be ironic to consume meat and liberate life,” said Ven. You Wei, chairman of the SBF’s education committee. “Vegetarianism saves many more animal lives than life liberation.”
Another Buddhist custom is that of buying and releasing captive animals held for slaughter - catfish, goats, sheep, hens etc. On special occasions such as one's birthday or Vesak, the Buddha's birthday, it is customary to buy and release a captured creature. With changing times, that concept is being refined. Here's a recent news post I came across on www.buddhistdor.net:
As Buddhist communities gather in observance of Vesak, the Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) and other experts are encouraging Buddhists in Singapore to consider alternatives to the practice of life release—making merit by releasing captive animals into the wild—during Vesak celebrations. Expressing concern over the unintended impact of life release on ecosystems and on the animals themselves, they have been urging Buddhists to consider more skillful expressions of compassion, such as adopting a meat-free diet or supporting animal shelters.
“It will be ironic to consume meat and liberate life,” said Ven. You Wei, chairman of the SBF’s education committee. “Vegetarianism saves many more animal lives than life liberation.”
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