You might have heard the Nepal news about the 500,000 animals that are going to be sacrificed over two days on 24th November (Ghaddimai animal sacrifice festival, happens every five years in the terrai).
The Buddhaboy wrote to the organizers asking them not to do it but his request was rejected. It is a big Hindu festival and now the Buddha boy is thinking to go there and try to stop it. I think unless one has special powers to show, people will not listen. It is a big religion with not 100 or 1000 followers but millions. Now it seems to have become a problem in Nepal like the problem with shoes and the Hindus in Pashupati. Now probably no matter what the reality is they will think it is the Buddhists who are making problems.
My observation shows that the Buddhaboy won't be able to stop it. Possibly some animal rights organisations might be able to help, but it's not sure. If western organisations and people like Nobel Peace (laureates) ask, maybe could help, but it would need many.
It came out good to read the Golden Light Sutra 100 times so i have asked Kopan gompa to send some monks to read it at the stupa and make strong prayers for the sacrifice not to happen, to dedicate like that and of course dedicate for world peace. You can find the Sutra in various languages here:
English http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advic ... 0207a4.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Tibetan http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advic ... tibetn.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I would like to request the centers and students to read the Golden Light Sutra and recite the Padmasambhava prayer for removing obstacles and for quick success, for the sacrifice not to happen. This needs to be done quickly as the sacrifice is happening on 24th November. You can find the Padmasambhava prayer here:
http://www.fpmt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. org/teachers/zopa/advice/ pdf/Padmasambava%20prayer%20to% 20clear%20obstacles% 20feb05km. pdf
Please recite any number of the Golden Light Sutra and the Padmasambhava prayer for removing obstacles and for quick success.
With much love and prayers
Lama Zopa
Prayer to Guru Rinpoche to Clear Away Obstacles on the Path
Precious guru, embodiment of all buddhas of the three times;
Great bliss, the lord of all accomplishments;
Wrathful power, who dispels all hindrances and subdues demons;
Pray bestow your blessings.
Please remove the outer, inner, and secret obstacles and grant your blessings to accomplish wishes spontaneously.
Du sum sang gyay guru rinpoche
Ngo drup kun dak de wa chhen poi zhap
Bar chhad kun sel dud dul drak po tsal
Sol wa deb so jyin gyiy lap tu sol
Chhyi nang sang wai bar chhad zhi wa dang
Sam pa lhun gyi drup par jyin gyi lob
When, due to the obstacles of the elements earth, water, fire and wind,
This illusory body, which is rented, is meeting the time to be perished,
Requesting undoubtedly, without two pointed mind to Padmasambhava and the
Goddess of the Elements, [there is] no doubt the four elements get naturally pacified.
I request, Orgyen, the One Arising From the Lotus (Orgyen Pädma Chung Nä),
Please bless the wishes to succeed naturally.
OM AH HUM VAJRA GURU PÄDMA SIDDHI HUM (Recite many times)
Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Hundreds of Buddhists and animal rights activists are protesting against the Hindu festival of Gadhimai Mela in Bayapur, Bara district (southeastern Nepal). During the event, half a million animals will be slaughtered. More than a million Hindu pilgrims are expected to gather for the occasion on 25 November. Nepali authorities have deployed more than 12,000 police officers.
Gadhimai Mela is one of the most important festivities on the Hindu calendar and the largest sacrificial happening in the world. It usually lasts a week, ending on the third Friday of November.During the celebrations, the faithful sacrifice animals like buffaloes, sheep and chickens in honour of the god Gadhimai. According to Hindu belief, such offerings reduce the god’s anger, and bring people luck and prosperity.
However, Bara district is also a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. This is where Ram Bahadur Bomjan, known as the living reincarnation of the Buddha, meditates year round.At present, hundreds of Buddhists and activists are praying with him to stop the animal sacrifice.“The killing of animals in the name of sacrifice is the most serious crime. So it must be stopped immediately,” said Rinpoche Sange Rangjung, a Buddhist monk and protest leader. “In no religion are animal sacrifices prescribed”.Demonstrators, who are backed by French actress and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot, are calling on the Nepali government to legislate in the matter to ban the practice in the future.
Gadhimai Mela is one of the most important festivities on the Hindu calendar and the largest sacrificial happening in the world. It usually lasts a week, ending on the third Friday of November.During the celebrations, the faithful sacrifice animals like buffaloes, sheep and chickens in honour of the god Gadhimai. According to Hindu belief, such offerings reduce the god’s anger, and bring people luck and prosperity.
However, Bara district is also a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. This is where Ram Bahadur Bomjan, known as the living reincarnation of the Buddha, meditates year round.At present, hundreds of Buddhists and activists are praying with him to stop the animal sacrifice.“The killing of animals in the name of sacrifice is the most serious crime. So it must be stopped immediately,” said Rinpoche Sange Rangjung, a Buddhist monk and protest leader. “In no religion are animal sacrifices prescribed”.Demonstrators, who are backed by French actress and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot, are calling on the Nepali government to legislate in the matter to ban the practice in the future.
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Buddhist monk Ram Bahadur Bamjan, like thousands of animal rights activists at home and abroad, has thrown his lot behind a campaign to halt mass sacrifice of livestock at the Gadhimai Mela in Bara on November 24 and 25.The mela, which is held once is every five years, is arguably the world's largest mass slaughter of assorted animals and birds to propitiate Goddess Gadhimai.
Despite the intense protest in the run up to the event, the Gadhimai Mela Management Committee appointed 250 butchers three days ago to perform the sacrifice.Bamjan, who is expected to reach the mela venue tomorrow, will deliver a sermon against animal sacrifice. Raju Shah, member, Namobuddha Conservation Committee, said that though they were aware of his visit tomorrow, the exact time of his arrival was yet to be communicated to them.
Bamjan is slated to come to the shrine alone, which, incidentally, will be his maiden visit. Earlier, he had urged members of the mela committee to put an end to the mass sacrifice, and also invited them to his meditation venue at Ratanpur for talks. Throwing caution to the wind, the panel has, however, stuck to its stand, stating any deviation would be a departure from the age-old tradition.Tapoban Conservation Committee members pleaded ignorance about his programme tomorrow. Shah, too, was in the dark.Motilal Kushwaha, secretary, Gadhimai Mela Management Committee, said that preparations were in place to welcome the monk tomorrow.“We've absolutely no problem if he chooses to engage in spiritual discourse. But, we won't stop sacrifice at any cost,” he added.
Despite the intense protest in the run up to the event, the Gadhimai Mela Management Committee appointed 250 butchers three days ago to perform the sacrifice.Bamjan, who is expected to reach the mela venue tomorrow, will deliver a sermon against animal sacrifice. Raju Shah, member, Namobuddha Conservation Committee, said that though they were aware of his visit tomorrow, the exact time of his arrival was yet to be communicated to them.
Bamjan is slated to come to the shrine alone, which, incidentally, will be his maiden visit. Earlier, he had urged members of the mela committee to put an end to the mass sacrifice, and also invited them to his meditation venue at Ratanpur for talks. Throwing caution to the wind, the panel has, however, stuck to its stand, stating any deviation would be a departure from the age-old tradition.Tapoban Conservation Committee members pleaded ignorance about his programme tomorrow. Shah, too, was in the dark.Motilal Kushwaha, secretary, Gadhimai Mela Management Committee, said that preparations were in place to welcome the monk tomorrow.“We've absolutely no problem if he chooses to engage in spiritual discourse. But, we won't stop sacrifice at any cost,” he added.
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Ram Bahadur Bamjan, the Buddha boy, did not turn up at the Gadhimai festival on Friday though he had promised ´to stop the animal sacrifice´ at the festival.Bamjan, who had left his place of penance at Halkhoriya on Thursday, did not show up to stop the sacrificial killings at the festival on November 24-25. News of his possible arrival and his promise to stop the slaughter at any cost had led to the administration mobilizing additional forces to prevent any untoward incident.
He was expected to arrive between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. and a large number of journalists and devotees had waited for him through Thursday night. There were rumors that the Buddha boy would start his penance at the place of sacrifices in front of the Gadhimai temple.
“We have planned to stop him from coming to the vicinity of the sacrificial spot, out of security considerations,” a police officer deputed there said. “If he tries to get in forcefully, we will take him under control and bring him out of the security cordon,” he added.There has been speculation that the recent security arrangements made Bamjan change his mind. The security cordon had been strengthened during the night to stop him from coming to the sacrificial spot. Around 1,200 security personnel including police and armed police were deployed in the area.Bamjan has been vehemently opposing the mass killings for the past six weeks and news of his visit to Gadhimai was announced through pamphlets and local FM radio.The Tapowan Committee, which makes arrangements at the site of Bamjan´s penance, maintains on the other hand that Bamjan would turn up any time before Friday midnight. “We had expected him to arrive in the morning. We will probably get to see him before midnight,” Raju Sah, a member of the committee, said. The committee, however, did not disclose the route Bamjan will take to reach the temple which is 30 km from the site of his penance.
Preparations for the festival have been completed despite vehement protests from national and international activists, according to the main organizing committee. The committee has appointed 250 persons for the sacrificial killings and claims that around 10,000 buffaloes can be sacrificed.Chief priest at Gadhimai Mangal Chaudhary claimed that the sacrificial offerings will be made whether Bamjan arrives or not. “There have been concerns about this following news reports of his possible arrival. But this age-old tradition would not be stopped at any cost,” Chaudhary said.
He was expected to arrive between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. and a large number of journalists and devotees had waited for him through Thursday night. There were rumors that the Buddha boy would start his penance at the place of sacrifices in front of the Gadhimai temple.
“We have planned to stop him from coming to the vicinity of the sacrificial spot, out of security considerations,” a police officer deputed there said. “If he tries to get in forcefully, we will take him under control and bring him out of the security cordon,” he added.There has been speculation that the recent security arrangements made Bamjan change his mind. The security cordon had been strengthened during the night to stop him from coming to the sacrificial spot. Around 1,200 security personnel including police and armed police were deployed in the area.Bamjan has been vehemently opposing the mass killings for the past six weeks and news of his visit to Gadhimai was announced through pamphlets and local FM radio.The Tapowan Committee, which makes arrangements at the site of Bamjan´s penance, maintains on the other hand that Bamjan would turn up any time before Friday midnight. “We had expected him to arrive in the morning. We will probably get to see him before midnight,” Raju Sah, a member of the committee, said. The committee, however, did not disclose the route Bamjan will take to reach the temple which is 30 km from the site of his penance.
Preparations for the festival have been completed despite vehement protests from national and international activists, according to the main organizing committee. The committee has appointed 250 persons for the sacrificial killings and claims that around 10,000 buffaloes can be sacrificed.Chief priest at Gadhimai Mangal Chaudhary claimed that the sacrificial offerings will be made whether Bamjan arrives or not. “There have been concerns about this following news reports of his possible arrival. But this age-old tradition would not be stopped at any cost,” Chaudhary said.
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Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Whats this about? lots of info about past evens but nothing actually relevant to thravada as far as I can see for a theravada specific discussion.
Blog, Suttas, Aj Chah, Facebook.
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them.
But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion …
...
He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them … he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.
John Stuart Mill
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
In 2002, a year after he ascended the throne following the assassination of his elder brother King Birendra, King Gyanendra had visited India where animal rights activists protested against his offering panchabali – five sacrifices at the Kamakshya temple in Assam Shah, who was educated in Delhi’s Army Public School and studied in Mumbai’s Sophiya College for two years, says her inspiration is former Indian minister and animal rights campaigner Maneka Gandhi.
Gandhi has already written to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, urging him to prevent the wanton killings. “Many people in Nepal and the subcontinent are concerned about this sacrifice,” she wrote. “Your government has taken so many humane steps – banning the export of monkeys, for instance. Since you have introduced the Meat Act, which makes the humane killing of animals mandatory, these acts during the Gadhimai Festival would be illegal.”
Shah is hoping that Gandhi will come to Nepal since a visit by her would give greater momentum to the campaign. “We are not against the Hindu religion,” she said. “We are against its perversions. No religion says that animals have to be sacrificed to appease god.”
At home, the campaign against the mass animal killings has been boosted by Nepal’s Buddha Boy Ram Bahadur Bomjan taking up cudgels on its behalf. Bomjan, who stunned the world five years ago when he was reported to be meditating without taking food or water, is asking the temple management as well as pilgrims and the district administration not to spill innocent blood in the birthplace of the Buddha, the apostle of peace.“The campaign is producing results,” said D B Bomjan, a prominent member of the Buddhist Tamang community to which the Buddha Boy belongs. “Three villagers have already handed over three buffalos to us, which were intended for sacrifice at the fair, saying they have had a change of heart.”
The former king’s kin is spearheading a passionate campaign to prevent animal sacrifices in the Terai temple.
“I stopped animal sacrifices at my parents’ house when I was eight,” says Pramada Shah nee Rana, whose grandfather Nir Shumsher Rana was a field marshall of the Nepal Army. “When I was married to Ashish Shah, King Gyanendra’s nephew, I realised animal sacrifices were deeply rooted in the family tradition. However, I have put an end to that too.”
Now her animal rights organisation Animal Welfare Network Nepal has grouped with animal activists in Nepal, India, France and the UK to begin a public campaign against the Gadhimai Temple fair starting from Nov 24, when the temple authorities say at least 500,000 birds and beasts will be slaughtered. The fair is held every five years when Hindu devotees from Jndia and Nepal gather to slaughter birds and animals for two days.
“The government must take immediate action to address the grave health risks of the mass sacrifice including bird and swine flu, TB and food poisoning,” Shah said. “If such mass sacrifices are still allowed in Nepal in the 21st century, it will send out the message to the world that we are still a barbaric nation.”
Gandhi has already written to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, urging him to prevent the wanton killings. “Many people in Nepal and the subcontinent are concerned about this sacrifice,” she wrote. “Your government has taken so many humane steps – banning the export of monkeys, for instance. Since you have introduced the Meat Act, which makes the humane killing of animals mandatory, these acts during the Gadhimai Festival would be illegal.”
Shah is hoping that Gandhi will come to Nepal since a visit by her would give greater momentum to the campaign. “We are not against the Hindu religion,” she said. “We are against its perversions. No religion says that animals have to be sacrificed to appease god.”
At home, the campaign against the mass animal killings has been boosted by Nepal’s Buddha Boy Ram Bahadur Bomjan taking up cudgels on its behalf. Bomjan, who stunned the world five years ago when he was reported to be meditating without taking food or water, is asking the temple management as well as pilgrims and the district administration not to spill innocent blood in the birthplace of the Buddha, the apostle of peace.“The campaign is producing results,” said D B Bomjan, a prominent member of the Buddhist Tamang community to which the Buddha Boy belongs. “Three villagers have already handed over three buffalos to us, which were intended for sacrifice at the fair, saying they have had a change of heart.”
The former king’s kin is spearheading a passionate campaign to prevent animal sacrifices in the Terai temple.
“I stopped animal sacrifices at my parents’ house when I was eight,” says Pramada Shah nee Rana, whose grandfather Nir Shumsher Rana was a field marshall of the Nepal Army. “When I was married to Ashish Shah, King Gyanendra’s nephew, I realised animal sacrifices were deeply rooted in the family tradition. However, I have put an end to that too.”
Now her animal rights organisation Animal Welfare Network Nepal has grouped with animal activists in Nepal, India, France and the UK to begin a public campaign against the Gadhimai Temple fair starting from Nov 24, when the temple authorities say at least 500,000 birds and beasts will be slaughtered. The fair is held every five years when Hindu devotees from Jndia and Nepal gather to slaughter birds and animals for two days.
“The government must take immediate action to address the grave health risks of the mass sacrifice including bird and swine flu, TB and food poisoning,” Shah said. “If such mass sacrifices are still allowed in Nepal in the 21st century, it will send out the message to the world that we are still a barbaric nation.”
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Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Hi kilo12,kilo12 wrote: I would like to request the centers and students to read the Golden Light Sutra and recite the Padmasambhava prayer for removing obstacles and for quick success, for the sacrifice not to happen. This needs to be done quickly as the sacrifice is happening on 24th November. You can find the Padmasambhava prayer here:
http://www.fpmt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. org/teachers/zopa/advice/ pdf/Padmasambava%20prayer%20to% 20clear%20obstacles% 20feb05km. pdf
Interesting and sad, but you quote from several Mahayana sutras and prayers, therefore, it is better to place this discussion at our sister site:
http://www.dharmawheel.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
where the focus is on the Dharma of the Mahayana. Dhamma Wheel is primarily a Theravada Buddhist forum. We welcome Mahayanists, but any discussions that include the Mahayana should be in relation to how it connects or compares to Theravada teachings.
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
....the first precept... 
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Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Okay, true . . . I wonder if the participants will be eating the meat from the sacrificed animals? Still a sad situation, but I imagine about at least that many are killed in slaughterhouses each day in countries with populations of 50 million +Annabel wrote:....the first precept...
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
But not 500 000 in one place, within a few days, with ceremonies for a Goddess, as a public spectacle, where people can watch and get a religious climax...David N. Snyder wrote:Okay, true . . . I wonder if the participants will be eating the meat from the sacrificed animals? Still a sad situation, but I imagine about at least that many are killed in slaughterhouses each day in countries with populations of 50 million +Annabel wrote:....the first precept...
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
Yes, I agree. Wouldn't this be better transfered to the Lounge?Manapa wrote:Whats this about? lots of info about past evens but nothing actually relevant to thravada as far as I can see for a theravada specific discussion.
---The trouble is that you think you have time---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
---Worry is the Interest, paid in advance, on a debt you may never owe---
---It's not what happens to you in life that is important ~ it's what you do with it ---
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Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
If the Buddhists make a peaceful protest, perhaps it might have some beneficial effect. However, whenever people are strongly attached to their views, emotions run high, and peaceful protests are almost certain to turn violent.
In that case, such a protest could lead to the killing or injuring of several or many human beings. Unless a peaceful protest can be guaranteed, it would be better for the Buddhists to stay away and to conduct some peaceful prayers at another site.
In the extremely unlikely event that the Hindus could abandon their attachment to this long-established ritual slaughter and abandon the festival in the face of overwhelming peaceful opposition, what would be the fate of the 500,000 animals? Would they then be left free to roam? No chance! The poor farmers who depend on raising livestock for their living will still have to slaughter the animals sooner or later or their families will go hungry.
The best possible outcome would be a brief stay of execution, and a more humane death for these animals.
The worst possible outcome would be the killing of many Hindus and Buddhists, and a long running feud over religious beliefs.
So consider carefully before stoking the fires of self-righteous indignation.
In that case, such a protest could lead to the killing or injuring of several or many human beings. Unless a peaceful protest can be guaranteed, it would be better for the Buddhists to stay away and to conduct some peaceful prayers at another site.
In the extremely unlikely event that the Hindus could abandon their attachment to this long-established ritual slaughter and abandon the festival in the face of overwhelming peaceful opposition, what would be the fate of the 500,000 animals? Would they then be left free to roam? No chance! The poor farmers who depend on raising livestock for their living will still have to slaughter the animals sooner or later or their families will go hungry.
The best possible outcome would be a brief stay of execution, and a more humane death for these animals.
The worst possible outcome would be the killing of many Hindus and Buddhists, and a long running feud over religious beliefs.
So consider carefully before stoking the fires of self-righteous indignation.
Blog • Pāli Fonts • In This Very Life • Buddhist Chronicles • Software (Upasampadā: 24th June, 1979)
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
It's a coming event.Manapa wrote:Whats this about? lots of info about past evens but nothing actually relevant to thravada as far as I can see for a theravada specific discussion.
And gosh, I'm getting tired of this separatism in Buddhism!
We're all Buddhists...same precepts, same Noble path....so guys, relax, open your belt, all is well.
Re: Stop 500000 animal sacrifice in Nepal, 24 Nov 2009
I thoughtthe lounge is for marmelade recipes, is it not?Chris wrote:Yes, I agree. Wouldn't this be better transfered to the Lounge?Manapa wrote:Whats this about? lots of info about past evens but nothing actually relevant to thravada as far as I can see for a theravada specific discussion.
