(IN)The Dalai Lama's speech to benefit animals in India Jan. 2006

[Guest guest]

His Holiness' Speech during Kalachakra Amravati

 

Translation by Monlam Lobsang, Managing Director, Tibetan Volunteers for

Animals (www.FreeAnimal.org)

 

Since the real source of unpleasant feelings is our mind and its attitude so

it is very important to change the way we look at things and this is what

Dharma does.

 

Whether we believe in rebirth or not, one thing is same - we all want

happiness and comfort. Within the community if there are principles,

decency and honesty, this will obviously benefit the community. Likewise, if

the human community is based on principles of peace, it will lessen the

sufferings caused to Millions and Billions of animals. Otherwise, out of

human's limitless and unjustified desires, they build Beef Farms, Pig Farms,

and Fish Farms which never existed before and are not needed. And now, when

the animals bring diseases they are killed in large numbers. So many fishes

are killed and they suffer so much.

 

For example, in Tibet the populations of wild animals like KYANG (Tibetan

Wild Ass), TSOE (Tibetan antelope), NNAYA (Wild Sheep), GGO (Gazelle) and

DRONG (Wild Yak) used to be huge but in recent times, due to intense hunting

the population of these animals have shrunk and some even faces the danger

of extinction.

 

People have started realizing and caring about these issues now, including

the Chinese government which is really good.

 

These days in Tibet it seems the number of people involved in the Meat

business is increasing which is a very pitiful condition. This shows how

human greed leads to the suffering of animals. These days a lot of people

are working for the protection of our environment which is great. But

environment alone isn't enough, it's also very important to protect the

animals and birds living in it because that is what surrounds us and that is

what we are a part of. These creatures are a thing of joy and beauty.

 

If we keep torturing these animals for our own benefits then it's a very

pitiful condition. The fashion of wearing animal skin is a matter of shame.

 

Until recently, Tibetans living in India didn't have any bad reputation but

recently, there were cases where Tibetans were involved in wildlife trade,

smuggling and other such things. It's a matter of shame. Although I am just

one ordinary single individual yet I have a social responsibility. So, when

I keep hearing such sad and shameful stories at this age, sometimes I feel

there is no use living in this world.

 

These days there are many Tibetan groups in India working for Vegetarianism

and spreading compassion for animals, such acts are extremely good and

something to rejoice. Most of the monasteries have also turned their kitchen

into vegetarian which is really good.

 

Strong attachment towards the fashion of costly jewelries and wearing animal

skins is an act of stupidity, a stigma on Tibetans and a matter of shame.

Beauty should be skin deep. If you have spiritual knowledge, that's the best

jewelry you can wear. I would like the Tibetans who have come from Tibet, to

pass these messages to their brothers and sisters in Tibet. Tell them that

I'm ashamed of their act - the use of animal skins and furs.

 

So, if we can transform our mind based on the principles of peace, it will

benefit so many animals and not only animals but also our environment.

Transformation of mind is something which is very important and is something

that can only be done from within.