Shenali D Waduge

Thiruketheeswaram Temple is located in Mannar and one of the most ancient Hindu temples in the island. Both Hinduism and Buddhism are dharmic religions and one key distinguishing factor has been the reverence for the cow by both Buddhists and Hindus. It has recently emerged that 9 cows out of over 40 that had been sent by this temple to be looked after had actually been sold to a Muslim butcher to be slaughtered. The GOSL recently passed the Animal Welfare Bill while in India 24 out of 29 states have banned cattle slaughter. India has been donating funds for the restoration of the temple and it was at a recent event that these cows were sent to be slaughtered calling for an inquiry and action by authorities.

On January 16 the Hindu community celebrated what is known as Mattu Pongal, a day dedicated to honour cattle and especially cows for the important and even sacred role they play in sustaining human life. In Hinduism, the cow is a symbol of wealth, strength, abundance, selfless giving and full of earthly life. Yet, animals are now being slaughtered as part of sacrifice or to seek divine blessings and these sacrifices are taking place in not only Sri Lanka but in India, Nepal and other South Asian nations as well. This has become a new religious ‘culture’ but one that departs from the essential teachings of the religion. Munneswaram kovil has become a favorite sacrifice centre. Is there any God that expects blood of another living being to bestow merit upon a person. Who are creating these new theories?

All living beings feel pain, they too have emotions. Would we like to be taken to be sacrificed for another to gain merit? The animal taken to be slaughtered feels the pain. People have voices and hands to relay their emotions. Animals can only shed tears knowing they are being taken to be killed, they can only scream as they line up in queues to face the axe.

“All fear the rod of death, All are scared.
(understanding others) from one’s own example, one should neither kill nor cause to kill” (Dhammapada)

Maneka Gandhi, a crusader for animal rights says there are over 11,000 ILLEGAL slaughter houses in Delhi alone. In Sri Lanka the kings followed the dasa raja dharma. Even the South Indian King Elara followed the Buddhist royal decree and punished his own son for harming a cow.

The MAAGHAATA (do not kill) proclamations prevailed from 1st to 8th century. Proclamations were made to protect wild life and fishes in the forests and lakes by King Vijayabahu 1 in the 11th century and Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century. Some kings like King Buddhadassa (341AD) became reputed medical and veterinary surgeons. It was believed that all Kings that followed the Dasa Raja Dharma and protected animals had divine healing capabilities.

What is the democratic right to kill an innocent animal?
In slaughtering an animal do their flesh and blood reach God? Is it not one’s piety that reaches Him?

Those that are responsible for removing the cattle under care of the kovil and selling them for slaughter need to be arrested and punished. Now that the Animal Welfare Bill is virtually through, it is in the hands of the authorities to immediately address the issue of ritual animal slaughter and put an end to killing of animals for sacrifice.

Shenali D Waduge