http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/abuddhistperspective/en-USSquarespace V5 Site Server v5.13.159 (http://www.squarespace.com)Venerable WulingSun, 12 May 2013 16:42:11 +0000http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/abuddhistperspective/2013/4/23/letting-go-is-gaining.html#comments107889:956850:comment/20012595Linda McKenzieWed, 08 May 2013 02:01:43 +0000http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/abuddhistperspective/2007/9/4/releasing-animals.html#comments107889:956850:comment/19999024
Thank you very much for this very important advice.

The most important thing we can do for animals is to reduce demand for products of animal exploitation. Without demand from consumers, there would be no profit incentive and animal use businesses would need to find another product if they wish to keep making money. We, as consumers, are the ones maintaining these industries of cruelty and death. We need to take responsibility for that and stop supporting them.

If we regard animals as sentient beings having moral value, there cannot be any moral justification in using them as things, or resources, in order to satisfy palate pleasure, involving torture and killing. No-one needs to consume *any* animal products for health. Indeed, we are much healthier without them. This means going vegan. A good online resource with practical information for anyone interested in going vegan:

http://vegankit.com]]>LindaThu, 02 May 2013 14:13:52 +0000http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/abuddhistperspective/2013/4/23/letting-go-is-gaining.html#comments107889:956850:comment/19987433
And yes, I do chant every day. Will my attachments weaken with more practice? I sincerely hope so. I really dislike being a slave to attachment.]]>Linda McKenzieThu, 07 Mar 2013 02:43:24 +0000http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/abuddhistperspective/2013/1/18/infinite-life-sutra-commentary-excerpt-fifty-three.html#comments107889:956850:comment/19810644
Thank you for speaking about veganism in Awaken to the Buddha Within.

This is a short comment called "Blessing Exploitation" by Professor Gary Francione:

"If you promote being a “conscientious omnivore” as the “compassionate” choice, guess what? People will continue to eat animal products. They will continue to participate directly in animal exploitation and see nothing wrong with it. After all, the “experts,” the “animal rights” people have blessed their consumption of animal products.

If you promote vegetarianism as the “compassionate” choice, you are giving people the green light to consume dairy and other animal products. You are telling them that they are being “compassionate” as long as they only consume some animal products. That explains why we all know many vegetarians who have never gone vegan. Why should they when they are being told by the self-appointed experts that they have discharged their moral obligations to animals by being vegetarian? Why should they change if “animal rights” groups have told them they are being “compassionate”?

If you regard animals as members of the moral community, you stop consuming them. Period. Its not a matter of “happy” exploitation; it’s not a matter of exploiting them for some animal products but not for others. It’s a matter of no consumption; no use. All animal products, whatever they are and however “humane” are the products of torture and exploitation.

If you are not a vegan, go vegan. It’s easy, better for your health and the environment, and, most important, it’s the morally right thing to do".]]>Venerable WulingMon, 04 Feb 2013 16:19:13 +0000http://www.abuddhistperspective.org/abuddhistperspective/2011/8/25/infinite-life-sutra-commentary-excerpt-thirty-one.html#comments107889:956850:comment/19600421http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/snapshot05.htm]]>