Justice for Animals and Nature

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened” ( Anatole France )

Pope Francis’ gesture of love for his dog Esterban ( once a stray dog six years ago) on his deathbed is inspirational.  It should inspire countless numbers of people and religious institutions especially the Churches, and Governments including the Government of Sri Lanka to embrace Karuna (Compassion) and Metta ( Loving – Kindness) towards not only dogs but all living beings existing in Samsara.  This is the Message of the Buddha –  the Compassionate One who taught unequivocally the right of every living being to lead and complete the total span of their natural life undisturbed by others.

The Government of Sri Lanka must take note of world trends including Pope Francis dying declaration of love for (once a stray) dog and take necessary action to: 

1) Enact the Animal Welfare Bill without any further delay

2) Stop giving firearms to people to shoot wild animals and stray animals. 

   – Animals have a right to live and move in any part of the country as human beings. The King or the Government is not the owner of animals but the Guardian of all living beings’. Refer the solemn advice of Arahant Mahinda to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale 2, 300 years.

3) The Human – Elephant conflict must be resolved without any further escalation of the deaths of elephants.  2000 elephants have been killed in the last five years. This is a national shame. The escalating figure of Elephant deaths per annum must be brought down dramatically 

4) Religious festivals must be made animal friendly, cruelty and slaughter free. Only when there is no shedding of blood or no unnecessary sacrifice of an animal’s life can it be said that a belief system is true to the spirit of true religion. Peace towards all beings is true religion. 

5) All religions, ideally speaking,  must become a platform to voice the suffering of both humans and non – humans. A voice for the voiceless.

6) Pope Francis in the very last moment of his breadth showed that he cared for his dog, Esterban. There is a strong message here.  The Christian Message of ‘ Love thy Neighbour ‘ must now take a new meaning.  Our neighbours are not only human beings but include the animals on the land and birds in the air. Treat them with Kindness.  That is the final message of Pope Francis to humanity.

There must be a sequel to the Pope ‘s conduct in the larger world.  What follows afterwards is what would really matter.

Both the Vatican and the Christian Churches have a great moral responsibility to extol reverence for life – for all life as Buddhism has done in its First Precept.

They must join hands and support the Animal Rights Movement including the local animal rights activists that comprise a number of Buddhist Monks who are spearheading the Justice for Animals and Nature campaign in Sri Lanka.

Senaka Weeraratna

Director

Justice for Animals and Nature