Towards a Revolution in Compassion
If Sri Lanka is taken to task internationally on lack of statutory
recognition of animal rights than on human rights as we see happening
today at UNHRC in Geneva we will have nowhere to look. The lack of
political will in Sri Lanka to extend effective legislative protection
to defenseless animals is unsettling to all those who care for others.
If you teach someone to care and respect animals from a young age to
prevent them from ill - treating and harming living beings, the chances
are that they are less likely to hurt humans in their adult life, since
many in our society start their journey in life by first hurting animals
and then human beings and sometimes even engage in mass murder.
A
country where once upon a time animals lived freely with man in peaceful
co-existence in line with the invaluable advice given by Arahant Mahinda
to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale 2300 years ago “ Oh! Great King,
the birds of the air and the beasts have an equal right to live and move
about in any part of this land as thou.
The land belongs to the peoples and all other beings and thou art
only the guardian of it”, today imports meat, slaughters animals in the
most brutal manner, allows animal sacrifice despite the Buddha’s
condemnation, encourages exports of fish and meat with hardly any
concern for the country’s Buddhist image and religious traditions.
Children must be given every chance to learn and practice
unconditional love and respect. Animals are great ambassadors.
Animal welfare should be part of our landscape and school culture
throughout the length and breadth of Sri Lanka.
Children are the country’s future. The introduction of animal
welfare as a subject into school curriculum in primary and secondary
schools in Sri Lankawill be an important step in preventing animal
cruelty and will help teach both current and our incoming generations of
children precious skills such as Metta (loving kindness) and Karuna
(compassion) that will stop deliberate cruelty to innocent creatures.
How they are educated & trained in a wholesome manner will determine
the health of the nation both in a moral and ethical sense.
The establishment of a compassionate society in Sri Lanka is an
ideal worth pursuing as it sits well with our noble Buddhist
civilizational goals of peaceful co- existence between man and animal.
It is an ideal path contributing to avoidance of conflict because as the
Nobel Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer wisely said
‘Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living
things, man will not himself find peace’
Senaka Weeraratna, Attorney – at – Law and Chapter Leader of the
Dharma Voices for Animals (Sri Lanka – Colombo) Chapter will deliver a
talk on the topic ‘The Importance of introducing Animal Protection
Education into Schools in Sri Lanka’ on World Animal Day, October 04,
2015 at 5.00 p.m. at the Dharmavijaya Foundation Auditorium, 380 / 7,
Sarana Road, off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07.
A Question & Answer session will follow.
An essay competition on the topic ‘ Can Zoos justify their existence
in the modern day?‘ for school children will also be launched on this
occasion.
All are welcome.
For any further information, please contact Ms.
Lakmali Udugampola (DVA Co - ordinator) on 0772127486 / (E:[email protected]).
-Dharma Voices for Animals (DVA)
|