The Agonized Cry of Animals in Buddha’s Land

Abstract

People use the term 'humanity' from different perspectives, while it can refer to the collective meaning of human beings, embodying the notions of compassion, philanthropy, and altruism (Coupland, 2001). The teachings of Buddhism regarding ethics offer very unique perspectives grounded in the principles of non-harming (ahimsa), compassion (karuna), and loving-kindness (metta) towards all sentient beings, and these are the ethical foundations of Buddhism. All non-human animals share similar characteristics with humans in terms of their requirements to survive in this world. Therefore, Buddhism emphasizes the intrinsic value of all living beings (Lankara, 2024). Like humans, animals also experience pain, discomfort, and distress. They need love and care, and they feel deeply affected when they encounter unpleasant experiences (Kumar, 2020). Based on Buddha's teachings, people who foster compassion and are guided by the ethical value of the 'do no harm approach' are able to see all sentient beings with the eyes of compassion. This paper focuses on animal rights and welfare from the perspectives of Buddhism and discusses case studies from Nepal regarding human cruelty toward innocent animals, as well as legal provisions for animal welfare. Keywords: Animal rights and welfare, Buddhism and animal rights, Cruelty, Barbarism, Hypocrisy.