{"id":153847,"date":"2025-12-24T17:10:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-25T00:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=153847"},"modified":"2025-12-24T17:10:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-25T00:10:21","slug":"celebrate-christmas-but-make-it-harmless-towards-animals-and-birds-and-save-lives-like-during-the-meaningful-vesak-celebrations-in-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2025\/12\/24\/celebrate-christmas-but-make-it-harmless-towards-animals-and-birds-and-save-lives-like-during-the-meaningful-vesak-celebrations-in-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate Christmas but make it harmless towards animals and birds and save lives like during the meaningful Vesak celebrations in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Concept:\u00a0 Senaka Weeraratna<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Source:&nbsp; AI Overview<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/EMEyW76dbzfhDPEoj\">https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/EMEyW76dbzfhDPEoj<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Compassionate Dining &amp; &#8220;Life Release&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Just as Vesak is slaughter-free, you can make your holiday feast truly noble by choosing a meat-free menu.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Abhaya-dana (Saving Lives):<\/strong><strong> Instead of buying meat, use those funds to save animals from slaughter, such as purchasing a cow or goat and donating it to a sanctuary.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plant-Based Feasting:<\/strong><strong> Replace traditional roasts with vegan alternatives like stuffed tofu rolls or potato roulades.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cruelty-Free Baking:<\/strong><strong> Prepare treats like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2025\/12\/17\/vesak-is-cruelty-free-what-can-animal-lovers-do-to-make-celebration-of-christmas-also-cruelty-free-at-least-in-buddhist-majority-sri-lanka\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vegan Christmas Tree Cookies<\/a> using egg replacers like aquafaba.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Direct Acts of Merit for Animals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Emulate the spirit of Buddhist &#8220;Dansal&#8221; (giving) by providing for street animals and birds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Balu-Kaputu Dana:<\/strong><strong> Revive the traditional practice of feeding stray dogs and crows in your neighborhood.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Safe Havens for Birds:<\/strong><strong> Place bird baths and feeders in your garden to provide a sanctuary for local birds during the winter.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shelter Support:<\/strong><strong> Instead of exchanging physical gifts, make <a href=\"https:\/\/hardypaw.com\/blogs\/news\/pet-safe-christmas-2025-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">donations to animal rescues<\/a>\u00a0like\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Animal SOS Sri Lanka\u00a0<\/strong><strong>in your loved ones&#8217; names.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ethical &amp; Safe Celebrations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gifts with Purpose:<\/strong><strong> Choose sustainable, vegan products or sponsor an animal through organizations like the <a href=\"https:\/\/kilung.org\/saving-the-lives-of-animals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kilung Foundation<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bird-Safe Decor:<\/strong><strong> Avoid using tinsel or plastic decorations that can be fatal if ingested by birds or pets. Use upcycled paper or wooden ornaments instead.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conscious Lighting:<\/strong><strong> Be mindful of bright, flashing lights that can disorient nocturnal birds and animals.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>By focusing on kindness and protection for all sentient beings, you align the message of the &#8220;Prince of Peace&#8221; with the Buddhist value of universal compassion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>To celebrate a compassionate Christmas like<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=Vesak&amp;client=firefox-b-d&amp;hs=ZzMU&amp;sca_esv=17c3e5427e348375&amp;prmd=ivns&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifOB5DP1eE4YKk2Bj6DhKica7pHyyQ%3A1766585342782&amp;source=lnms&amp;fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIemkjk18Cn72Gp24fGkjjh6w8f_UmwvItOb-_M1yJww2SqbbqLZ2NZZniUGUQLa9BbEnGGvSQt8yPAGqEHJHnL0qSzHHskSp5v9wUjNqHzt9QYhoXqxMoaFV_fALn8VLn4z5Ni-cpGrIsnBow9hnf6CAuRqn1m9qxlk88PoP7gVoEeqbaDg&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQh5_XttaRAxXhVmwGHWxyKKEQgK4QegQIARAB&amp;biw=1252&amp;bih=564&amp;dpr=1.09&amp;mstk=AUtExfB4WiNITvyX3n6_spgpDQuHByU4avDsIlJzCkc72KGuaXpRoGMf01N-1Lq0m8YPRrEl6IpvLUX_jNyi89kGEN9Sv56PWD_6EbnYFR9x0cRxy0Yurtyygx4ZR9x7jbL-bNTK5zmUexCoShqBXe1Re8cB3U_OH6gXNoSvIz_JfqiXNxc&amp;csui=3\">Vesak<\/a>, focus on plant-based feasts, acts of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=ahimsa&amp;client=firefox-b-d&amp;hs=ZzMU&amp;sca_esv=17c3e5427e348375&amp;prmd=ivns&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifOB5DP1eE4YKk2Bj6DhKica7pHyyQ%3A1766585342782&amp;source=lnms&amp;fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIemkjk18Cn72Gp24fGkjjh6w8f_UmwvItOb-_M1yJww2SqbbqLZ2NZZniUGUQLa9BbEnGGvSQt8yPAGqEHJHnL0qSzHHskSp5v9wUjNqHzt9QYhoXqxMoaFV_fALn8VLn4z5Ni-cpGrIsnBow9hnf6CAuRqn1m9qxlk88PoP7gVoEeqbaDg&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQh5_XttaRAxXhVmwGHWxyKKEQgK4QegQIARAC&amp;biw=1252&amp;bih=564&amp;dpr=1.09&amp;mstk=AUtExfB4WiNITvyX3n6_spgpDQuHByU4avDsIlJzCkc72KGuaXpRoGMf01N-1Lq0m8YPRrEl6IpvLUX_jNyi89kGEN9Sv56PWD_6EbnYFR9x0cRxy0Yurtyygx4ZR9x7jbL-bNTK5zmUexCoShqBXe1Re8cB3U_OH6gXNoSvIz_JfqiXNxc&amp;csui=3\">ahimsa<\/a><\/em> (non-harming) like animal release\/support, charitable giving, and mindfulness, replacing animal products and loud noise with vegan meals, donating to shelters, creating animal-friendly decor, and embracing quiet reflection to honor universal love, mirroring the compassion central to Buddha&#8217;s teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vegan &amp; Plant-Based Feasting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Veganize Traditions:<\/strong> Create plant-based versions of holiday classics, using tofu\/lentils for roasts and dairy-free milk for desserts to avoid animal suffering, notes LankaWeb.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cruelty-Free Treats:<\/strong> Make cookies and sweets using egg\/dairy substitutes, honoring compassion over consumption.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Acts of Compassion (Ahimsa)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Support Animal Shelters:<\/strong> Donate time or resources to local animal rescue organizations instead of buying animals as gifts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release Animals:<\/strong> Participate in or support initiatives for releasing captive birds or fish, a common practice during festivals like Vesak in places like Vietnam, says <a href=\"https:\/\/en.thaythichtructhaiminh.com\/vesak-day-an-meaningful-religious-festival-d328.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">en.thaythichtructhaiminh.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advocate for Welfare:<\/strong> Support stronger animal welfare laws, echoing the call for compassionate governance seen during Vesak.\u00a0The Animal Welfare Bill (Law Commission) needs public support for enactment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mindful &amp; Eco-Friendly Celebrations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nature-Inspired Decor:<\/strong> Decorate with natural elements like branches, leaves, and homemade lanterns (like Vesak lanterns) instead of plastic or animal-derived items, says <a href=\"https:\/\/mahamegha.lk\/2018\/05\/03\/the-correct-way-to-celebrate-vesak\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mahamegha Magazine<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quiet Reflection:<\/strong> Emulate the peaceful observance of Vesak by focusing on meditation, chanting, and reflecting on the teachings of kindness and peace rather than noisy festivities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Share Warmth, Not Meat:<\/strong> Extend the Christmas spirit of love and sharing to all beings, recognizing animals&#8217; desires to live and be with their families, not just to be food, says WeAllSaveTheAnimals (Facebook),.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Connect to Buddhist Principles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp;Embrace Universal Love:<\/strong> See Christmas as a time to celebrate shared wishes for peace and safety for all creatures, applying the universal compassion found in Buddhist teachings to your festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Make Christmas Merry for all (living beings)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Senaka Weeraratna<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Justice for Animals &amp; Nature<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Concept:\u00a0 Senaka Weeraratna Source:&nbsp; AI Overview https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/EMEyW76dbzfhDPEoj Compassionate Dining &amp; &#8220;Life Release&#8221; Just as Vesak is slaughter-free, you can make your holiday feast truly noble by choosing a meat-free menu. Direct Acts of Merit for Animals Emulate the spirit of Buddhist &#8220;Dansal&#8221; (giving) by providing for street animals and birds. Ethical &amp; Safe Celebrations By [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-153847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-senaka-weeraratna"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153847"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":153848,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153847\/revisions\/153848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}