(CN) Animal welfare is Chinese tradition, says prof

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From ANIMAL PEOPLE, March 2010:

 

 

Animal welfare is Chinese tradition, says prof

 

CHENGDU--Legislating on behalf of animals is not a break with

Chinese culture and tradition, but rather a rediscovery of ancient

Chinese values, Central Institute of Socialism professor Mang Ping

recently told an ActAsia forum on promoting animal welfare

legislation.

" In Chinese history there is a long tradition of protecting

animals, but we forget about the past. We have the same sympathy

and mercy as the West towards animals, " Mang Ping declared,

according to notes taken by Animals Asia Foundation founder Jill

Robinson.

" The Tang Dynasty, " for example, " was a glorious period of

civilisation, " Mang Ping continued. " During the 300-year rule of

the Tangs, demonstrating the mercy of Buddhism and Taoism,

slaughter was suspended each year for one third of the 365 days.

People were not allowed to slaughter animals, nor to buy fish in the

markets.

" Our culture is embedded in benevolence, which is the core

of Buddhism, " Mang Ping emphasized. " If we lose benevolence, we

lose Chinese culture. In the Qing dynasty we introduced Buddhism and

Taoism into Confucianism. Buddhism introduced the mercy of not

killing into Confucianism.

" Ancient manuscripts show that animal protection was the

first activity to be regulated by the ancient dynasties, " Mang Ping

said. " People under the Qing dynasty were not allowed to kill cubs,

or pregnant animals, or working animals. Today you can see people

eating young animals, " Mang Ping acknowledged, " and this is a shame

on the Chinese people. "

 

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

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Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

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