Animal Liberation
I have always been a advocate of saving the lives of animals. I have been doing this for many years. The joy and satisfaction derived from seeing animals free, happy and unharmed is beyond words for me.
I have been promoting this practice to many students. I have personally gone to different parks and lakes in this area to inspect if it was ok for us to release fish.
Liaison Sengpiow was very good as he found a place with a huge lake. Liaison Suming loves animals also and she takes charge to take groups of caring people to liberate fish once a month. We take elderly people with us. We take very young kids to influence them in the right direction of loving animals. To learn to give and share. Very important to instill this while they are young.
I have included a video of myself going with a group to release fish that were to be slaughtered that day, then feed the fish and end the end I gave a small talk regarding the benefits. I went to start the tradition in Kechara House and now it has taken off as a monthly event here. I am very happy with everyone who is involved. I thank them sincerely.
Below are lovely pictures sent to me today from the Animal Liberation session. Around 80 Kh members/friends/kids joined in today on Sunday. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday with the family. The group went to the slaughter market and bought 100kgs of fish to be released. Fish that were destined for the resteraunts today. Prayers were recited,good motivations made, and mantras recited to bless the fish before releasing. We hope they have a good life now and in future take a good rebirth by the power of our mantras and prayers.
Certain mantras such as the Medicine Buddha, Namgyalma, Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, Green Tara are very wonderful mantras to let them animal hear (if possible) when you recite and then blow on them or their environement, such as the water in this case. Sincerely pray by the power of these mantras they will take a fortunate rebirth in the future. It will help them very much.
Please See the pictures taken today and rejoice.
Very beautiful. May people around the world who see this please do the same. We will increase our liberation here over time as it is a great spiritual practice. Remember, animals have every right to have a full, healthy life. They are not here for our pleasure or entertainment. Be kind to animals to show a good example to the children. By showing animals kindness, we can develop that quality in our hearts to share with eachother creating a better world, a more peaceful world.
Tsem Tulku
Please see the video of when I started the Animal Liberation practices for the first time here with our Kechara House members below. Just click on the video itself and let it load up..thanks..Tsem Tulku
Dear Rinpoche,
This is such a wonderful treat! I just love this video. I watched it for the first time last night and watched it again and again. Thank you so much Rinpoche for spreading this practice and teaching us the benefits of such a virtuous practice.
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite practices. Anyone can do this really. There are many opportunities for this. Even liberating worms that are being sold to fishermen can be an a way to practice this compassion. Like Master Shantideva said…”start with vegetables”
Thanks for sharing this.
Just to add, people must realize all animals suffer, even shrimp! We must stop eating meat. There is no reason to eat meat. We must stop getting dogs and cats and just abandoning them on roadsides. Shelters are full of pitbuls and high energy animals which have no business in an apartment; like border collies, blue healers, etc. Please be mindful when making pet selections. Do NOT get a parrot to look pretty in a cage. My parrot is NEVER in her cage unless she is sleeping. They need cooked foods, pellets, special diets, a lot of attention, physical canoodling, and love. Please honor the lives of all sentient beings. When you save the life of an ant in the pool, the life you save is your own.
When you save the life of an ant in the pool, the life you save is your own.
How wonderful and inspirational! I will practice animal liberation once a month as well from now on. Thank you Rinpoche!
This video was how I first came across Rinpoche’s teachings… I thought it was so touching, I have been following him ever since
We need to help Rinpoche spread this practice far and wide.
By starting in our own communities, we can save lives one being at a time. If every community had a group that got together to do this precious practice, the support would grow like wildfire.
I agree with Duke’s last post. I plan to share this practice with my non-Dharma friends as they are always looking for something to do when we hang out. This way we can do something so that is so beneficial. What a great way to plant seeds of compassion, help other sentient beings all while hanging out together and enjoying the outdoors!
Hurray for you Melvin! Lets pass this on to everyone we know. There are so many ways to get others involved. We could even volunteer to get the elderly involved by going to the nursing homes and inviting them as well. Everyone, regardless of religion, could benefit from this powerful practice.
The sky is the limit when it comes to the benefits of a practice like this.
Thanks for the great ideas Duke! I really like the nursing homes one.
One of the thing that I think would be neat is if there were like an national amnesty day for all caged animals…sort of like they do for prisoners in some countries on special holidays. All caged animals would be released…but not before a few whispered mantras of course.
UNTIL EVERY CAGE IS EMPTY!!!!
Here is the latest message from Silvia at A Shelter Friend
Duke,
Please relay our deepest thanks to Master Rinpoche for his generosity and for his encouragement in our endeavors! Even though the animals cannot voice their thanks, we see gratitude in every face that is saved. It is why we do what we do! Their kisses and the knowledge they will be loved are our greatest reward!
Dear everyone,
Such beautiful posts. I thank everyone for wanting to create awareness for animals. It moves me deeply to read this posts.
I love the animal amnesty day!!!
Tsem Tulku
One of my biggest challenges as an animal lover is helping others see that ALL animals are deserving of our compassion and protection…NOT JUST THE CUTE ONES!
It reminds me of “dolphin safe” tuna. Why is it ok to kill the tuna but save the dolphins? Don’t get me wrong, I love dolphins very much, but it saddens me to see people who care for the welfare of dolphins yet think the suffering of tuna is irrelevant.
I have even been with other animal lovers who have no problem swatting a fly and see no contradiction in that.
I am not trying to criticize others…I just want people to start seeing ALL life as equally precious…not just the cute ones.
Another difficulty is that there is always going to be another dog to save…another cat to rescue. We must learn to never give up. Even when the task seems so unbelievably hard and never seems to be enough.
We can not stop at one act of compassion. When we keep our eyes open, we will see that every moment presents an opportunity to give safety and protection to our fellow travelers. Just watching our path as we walk or checking the chair before we sit down can be a way to remain aware of the many ways that we can help from harming these creatures.
NEVER GIVE UP! our animal friends are counting on us.
Dear Rimpoche,
It is nice to see your heartfelt interest in helping nonhuman animals on twitter and your blog and I believe you can influence many people. In the past weeks have sent you some tweets with the intention to raise awareness to the fact that the best for nonhumans is that people go vegan instead of just stop eating meat. “There is as much (if not more) suffering in a glass of milk as in a pound of steak” http://tiny.cc/e98xn
Other thing is that I saw you mentioning PETA, an animal welfare organization that does a disservice to end animal exploitation and has joined the industry and has even given an award to a slaughterhouse designer. If you care to know more about it please read http://tiny.cc/w8z5g
Best regards
Rinpoche, I agree with Vera. I appreciate you speaking out to end animal use, but as Vera has pointed out – vegetarianism is problematic. Veganism addresses all animal use http://www.veganpamphlet.com . Peta is also a problematic organisation for many reasons. A grassroots vegan movement is the way to proceed.
Here is my simple view~
Vegetarianism…better than non-vegetarianism…but yes, vegan is even better.
Peta…better than non-Peta.
We must all work according to our own capacities. Not every system or organization is flawless in every way when dealing with these tough issues.
I agree with Duke – I know many people who struggle with vegetarianism even for just one day – there is no point criticising them because they are simply just at that level due to ignorance and attachment. It’s not up to us to judge. It is up to us to educate and share so that there is more awareness and people will make better choices.
I also agree with Duke’s comment…
Though it is great to be vegan, it is too much for many people to ask them to go from meat eating to veganism all at once… it would turn a lot of people off. If people start to give up meat and become more mindful of their diet, perhaps in time they will move to veganism… I think any steps made towards vegetarianism are positive and should be celebrated.
Dear Ivy,
Wonderful view. Wonderful long term strategy you have written.That many can accept for now.
Thanks.
Tsem Tulku
Disciples of the Buddha liberate life out of loving-kindness, thinking “All males are my fathers. All females are my mothers. From life to life, there is no one I was not born from. Because beings from the six realms are my parents, those who kill and eat them kill and eat my parents, and kill my own body… “
Continued~
Because of life liberation, one will abide with the Dharma from life after life, and teach others to liberate life. If one sees someone killing animals, one should skillfully save and protect them, and relieve them of suffering and danger.”
-Brahma Net Sutra
Many of us are oblivious to the fact that animals do suffer too. How many times have we walked passed a pet shop and just commented on how cute these animals are, without stopping for one second to think of their feelings of being confined in such a small space or whether they are happy being displayed the way they are. Indeed, there are many, many animals that are suffering out there, but if each of us is able to liberate animals when we can, and prevent animal cruelty, it would count, for each time someone does something to help. If one person starts, others would follow in their footsteps, and this is how awareness is generated.
Animals aren’t able to help themselves; therefore they rely on us to help them. People torture animals for the sake of doing so, pet shops owners do not treat animals right so that they are able to sell on the sympathetic note. How can compassion come forth if others are torturing other living things? Rinpoche has set a very good example with the monthly animal liberation, and with the Animal Sanctuary that is to be manifested. Hopefully this video would serve to promote the same cause in others.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Another great blog post on animals and their liberation!
I too agree with Ivy that the gradual path is perhaps the best Middle Way. In our times and societies, any knee jerk resolutions in this issue often end up in a dead end road or militant behaviour which instead of inspiring people to love all life, they are instead repulsed by the conduct of these militant crusaders (and have read enough how Forums become battlegrounds for egoistic tendencies on the matter) and loose sight of both the actual cause and its spiritual dimension.
Yes Duke, there are many Mahayana Sutras that have clear prohibitions on meat eating ranging from the Mahayana Mahaparinirvana, Lankavatara, Shurangama and other smaller Sutras besides the quoted Mahayana Brahmajala Sutra but perhaps the Buddha in His Compassion has also taught in the Pali Canon of certain conditions where meat may be permissible. Even the Kechara Pocket Prayer Booklet, there is a mantra to absolve one from the fault of eating meat.
I like Rinpoche’s path…a gradual commitment…Sadhu!
Thank you Rinpoche for starting the animal liberation activity in Kechara House. Rinpoche is always very skillful in bringing us into Dharma. Most of us wouldn’t have engage in such virtuous activities if not for Rinpoche. We always speak of compassion and to be kind to others and to help others but most of the time it is only mere talks but nothing much happens. With the animal liberation organized by KH, we can put compassion into action by saving animals & giving them a 2nd chance to live.
I personally find it very meaningful to bring my kids to participate in animal liberation rather than wasting precious time wandering around the shopping mall over the weekend. I want my kids to grow up learning to be care and be kind to animals. My daugher, Rachel likes the idea of helping out at the future Kechara Animal Sanctuary (another of Rinpoche’s vision) to provide facility for homeless animals.
Thank u Rinpoche again for creating all these meaningful activities whereby any age group of people can participate.
I pray that Kechara Animal Sanctuary will soon manifest.
I love Duke’s comment by Shantideva “Just start with vegetables!”
hehe, funny as it seems, but it is also the truth. Many of us cannot get over the fact that we need to feast on meat in order to satisfy our craving for ‘substantial’ food. It is worrying that we depend on the sacrifice of another being for our own living.
In retrospect, giving up our attachment for meat will be a form of offering to the Buddhas to prolong the lives of our loved ones and ourselves. Animal liberation will be our next step in realizing this balance in nature whereby we do not cause harm to these living beings but give them a chance of release. Having done so, they will be able to live their lives in freedom and peace so that we may gain the same.:)
sarva mangalam
About 2 months ago, through Shin, H.E Tsem Tulku Rinpoche asked me to watch this video about Animal Liberation:
http://www.youtube.com/tsemtulku#p/u/129/T-osSNX-WtU
I have come across this video last year when I was doing the tsemtulku.com website, but due to whatever reasons (slow internet connections, etc), I never watched this video.
I have told nobody that I am really not into all these animal liberations. I felt that it is really not necessary to buy fishes and release them to the pond/lake, for reasons such as, why purposely buy fish and release them? What if you release the fish into the pond and they affect the ecology systems? What if people fish them?
Therefore, when Rinpoche asked me to watch this video, the first thing come to my mind, “How does HE know that I am not into animal liberation? Of all the videos, why does HE ask me to watch this one?” I watch it anyway..
While watching it halfway, I started to tear (while writing this note, I also cannot stop tearing). I really felt for the fish when I see them being released to the pond. When I hear Rinpoche explaining the meaning of animal liberation, why HE buy those fish which will soon be killed from the fish market, being compassionate to all being, the meaning of vegetarianism; it really touches my heart, and I really GET IT.
Incidentally, 2 weeks before when Rinpoche was giving a talk about why He is setting up the animal sanctuary, I also cannot control myself and starting tearing…
Now I know why Rinpoche wanted to make this animal liberation activity an official activity in Kechara House, and I really appreciate Rinpoche teaching me a good lessons about being compassion.
Why I can’t stop crying when I saw the fishing being released to the pond? Is my previous life a fish or something?
Wow! There are many young kids participating in Animal Liberation activities organized by Kechara!
This is really good because parents who are responsible will take positive charge towards the social development and welfare when their children observe that their parents do it as well. Therefore, they will grow up alright, healthy and they too will follow good example set by their parents.
Parents, who are busy with their careers during the weekdays and neglect their family, can take this opportunity to foster good family relationship. You are able to interact with your kids effectively, talk to them and understand what they are thinking.
PAUL
I love what Lew wrote above. It is really our misconceptions that blind from the truth and hinder us from becoming loving or kind. We are so attached to the things we enjoy so we are unwilling to see the other side of reality.
With Buddhism, I do not feel that I am cut off from life and everything that relates to life. In becoming a Buddhist, I feel even more connected to life – more than ever. Buddhism teaches to value all life forms and not just our own or the ones we like.
Yes, many intellectuals would argue that releasing these fishes might do this or that, but what have they done apart from sitting on their asses and talk about issues to death? Who have they helped or how have they helped? Talking about issues is one thing, but neglecting to embrace life is another. I find it especially hard to relate to people who just seem to enjoy talking about issues and talking, alone. There is no action. If anyone feels so passionate about their beliefs, that passion would be reflected in their actions. In fact, it should become their conviction. Otherwise, it is just beautifully crafted words but EMPTY.
As we Buddhists believe in past lives and reincarnation, any beings could have been our mothers, fathers, friends and etc. This includes fishes too.
Hence, we choose not to eat them but release them.
It is a virtuous and meritorious activity for family and children at large to join in on Sundays to liberate fishes or animals. A good way for the family to foster relationship. As computer technology improves, youngsters are spending more and more time on high tech gadgets, online games, etc… Thus, they prefer to be left alone in doing what they like to do and spending lesser time and interaction with their parents and siblings. Liberating animals activity will be a good way to educate our children the care, love and kindness to animals.
In addition, the act of liberating animals is a poignant reminder that we should stop eating meat. It makes sense that we do not eat fish if we have just liberated them. Can you imagine if the next plate of fish on the table could well be the fish you have just liberated. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that if we participate in the act of liberating animals we should stop eating meat. It is easy to be a vegetarian, if we have such motivation in us.
According to what I understand Animal Liberation is good for extending live, for curing sickness and for those who have passed away to collect merits not to be born in the lower realms. Mantras can be recited when releasing or feeding the animals. The mantra to chant is the Medicine Buddha Mantra TADYATHA OM BHEKHANDZYE BHEKHANDZYE MAHA BHEKHANDZYE BHEKHANDZYE RAJA SAMUDGATE SOHA. For some of us Rinpoche had given assignments to some people to feed fishes and turtles in the pond at TTDI Park in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, once a week. This has been done for quite sometime specially by the senior citizens of Kechara House.
I’ve been to the chicken farms before in the past due to work purposes. Initially, those farms that I visited rear hens for their eggs. In the subsequent year, they’ve ventured into the meat processing business.
7 or 8 hens are stuffed into one small cage like a sardine can, where those hens can barely breath and even move an inch of their body. There are hundrends and thousands of such cages in the farms. These hens are fearful of humans and struggled very hard to fled the cage as soon as they see humans approaching them. In the process of struggling, these hens hurt themselves due to the confined space.
These hens basically live in the very same confined cage with the rest of hens throughout their lives from the moment they start laying eggs until they are old and of no use to the farmers. The hens are then released from the cages and being wrapped in plastic bags half filled with water waiting to be delivered to the buyers or markets that harvest them for their meat. I’ve seen one of the old hen in the plastic bag and it was still alive then.
As for the chickens that the farmers rear to harvest their meat, instead of amputating the beak, as mentioned in the vegan pamphlet mentioned by Live Vegan above, the farmers burn the beaks with hot metals. The farmers told me that the chickens shed tears when they burn the beaks with hot metals. I don’t see any sign remorse or sadness from their face when they told me about it. They justified that those beaks have to be removed to prevent those chickens from hurting each other when they grow up. But they didn’t say why they choose to burn the beak.
During those visits, I don’t really feel sorry or have much compassionate feelings towards those chickens, probably due to the numbness I felt due to the stress and the long hours of work. I actually enjoyed my visit there due to the pleasant hospitality received from the employees working for the company.
But after quitting the job, and years later when I recalled the experiences I had in the chicken farms, I was actually witnessing a series of holocaust being carried out against the chickens. Those chickens were brutally treated and suffered tremendously from the moment of their birth to their death. Not to mention the fear that overwhelmed their emotions every day when they are approached by humans, fearing that their end would come at that very moment.
Individually I can’t do much to change the nature of the business of reaping profit at the expense of other beings, but at least I can do my part in cutting down my diet gradually and ultimately becoming a vegan. I’ve stopped taking meat for some time, but I still do consume eggs from time to time. I hope that in due course I would be a full vegan for the sake of the sentient beings.