Animals in Buddhism play a major role. Animals are conscious only of the current times. Animals are said to not only have their instinctual ability, but on a lesser scale, the power to think. In Buddhism, we love all beings, not just humans. We should to love all life forms. We are also to not injure or kill any lifeforms. The Buddha advised that it is not right to take away the life of any being because we all possess the basic right to exist. Animals know terror and pain so it is always right to respect them.
Every living being, including animals, have their role in this broken world. One thing to understand is that Buddhist monks refrain from not only the precept to not injure any living being, but also to refrain from eating meat or any other part of an animal. That is hard for most people to do. Can you do that? Give up meat for the sole factor of love? These animals should not be hunted down, no less should we be hunted down for sport. As mentioned, animals very much know what fear is, perhaps due to man's intrusion on the animal world and their lives. This is what makes Buddhism unique: no other philosophy will instruct you that all lifeforms are valuable.
In several places throughout the world we slaughter different animals believing they are dangerous to human existence. All though this may be true, we never consider the fact that we are dangerous towards all lifeforms. We hunt down species like wolves to the point of extinction, all in the name of man's conquest. Those fools. Do they not know that all creatures have a role in this broken world? Why must they hunt animals, to satisfy their vanity and stroke their large ego? No hate should be welcome in this world. Love those hunted, like all lifeforms, but take an active stand against them and let them know that their ways are simply wrong and encroach on man, woman, and animal alike.
There is so many things we can learn from animals. We can learn humility from them, and enjoy these creatures. I guess the most basic example is that these animals may be in a lesser consciousness level than us but also could be a human in a past life or perhaps a future one. We must exercise caution and daily challenge ourselves into understanding the deep mystery that is these animals and how they exist happily. I understand my own inner dialogue, but I may never fully understand the mystery that is nature. Cherish these animals, for we have destroyed their homes for too long. It is crucial to know lifeform equality.
Animals deserve love and sympathy. They are enjoyable to watch and view from a distance, or even up close. We are not to injure or maim them. Relax and explore your inner garden, where you will find your own self amongst the wild, exercising loving kindness to our world mates. Although a vegetarian lifestyle is not for everyone, a vow of non violence towards all lifeforms is.
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