Compassion.

When I was a little boy I spent my summer holidays on my uncles farm on the Isle of Man. I loved it, to be in nature with all the beautiful animals, to care for them and to talk in my simple childish way with them.

Of course I had no concept that they were being raised simply so they could be sold, killed and eaten, but how would I?

Something so preposterous, something so barbaric as that?

But because of that very reasoning, the truth was always hidden from me.

I was told that my 'friends' had gone to a better field or a new home, to have a happier life.

Now reflect, why are a child's feelings protected from the reality of the situation? If something is acceptable in our heart, why hide it from children? Why not simply explain that this being has no rights and no value except to be fattened, sold, killed and eaten?

So I would talk to the cows whilst they were being milked, sing to the pigs and count the sheep every evening to make sure none had roamed out of their fields (it took me years to realize that this was only a device to give me something to do before bed at night, and not necessary at all!)

Eventually I grew up and began to see behind the stories that cover man's endless cruelty to these wonderful animals, and perhaps it was that very deceit that helped shape my Dhamma life?

We each have the potential to live a loving, caring compassionate life, for ourselves and all beings. Sharing our heart and celebrating the value of all the myriad creatures we share our planet with.

Eating the flesh of cruelly murdered animals is not a necessity, only a habit and it can easily be let go of if we reflect on our mutual similarities: We all want to be happy, we all want to feel secure in our life, we all want to avoid pain. That one group or species should ever exploit another does not fit a Dhamma life.

The moment we understand suffering as we experience it for ourselves we can no longer blindly inflict it upon others and we intuitively surrender to the beautiful teaching of love and compassion of the Buddha;

 

All beings fear pain and death.

All beings love life.

Remembering that we are one like them, let no-one harm or kill another.

(Dhammapada vs 129 & 130)

 

Love lives in our heart, and the power to change how we live and share our life with all other beings begins in a moment of true compassion.

 

May all beings without exception be happy.