Animals in Buddhism
Explore Buddhist teachings that shape our lives with animals through texts, core ethics, tradition, and practice
Foundations
Buddhism provides a deep spiritual foundation for kindness and care for animals.
The first Buddhist precept, to avoid destroying the lives of living beings, and the foundational moral principle of ahimsa (non-harm), teach Buddhists to refrain from killing or harming animals. Additionally, a philosophy of rebirth, continuous across eons, and the deep truth of interdependence call us to think about the effects of harming animals in an interconnected universe.
This rich philosophical foundation is enhanced by beloved Buddhist animal narratives, especially the Jataka, or birth stories, which recall previous lives of the Buddha, in animal forms. These stories show animals to be thinking, feeling beings with their own lives, fears, bonds, and devotion. Jataka stories teach core values, such as generosity, wisdom, patience, and compassion, while also reminding us that we may be reborn in animal form, and that we are to respect the life of every being. The Jataka enriches core philosophy in texts such as the Dhammapada, reminding us that sentient beings prefer not to be harmed, and not to suffer.
In the course of life in our industrialized societies, we may forget to respect every living creature. We may not pause to ask how our purchases cause harm and loss of life, or what we might choose to wear or eat that is more consistent with Buddhist practice. Buddhist animal advocates help answer these questions, and many more, inviting us to explore the dharma in daily life. According to core Buddhist teachings, does it make sense to bring greater care for animals into daily practice, and if so, what are those teachings and what does this ask of us?
Teachings
The first Buddhist precept, to avoid destroying the lives of living beings, and the foundational moral principle of ahimsa (non-harm), teach us to refrain from harming animals. Additionally, a philosophy of rebirth, continuous across eons, and the deep truth of interdependence call us to think about the effects of harming animals in an interconnected universe.
Narratives
The Jataka (birth stories) recall previous lives of the Buddha in animal forms. For example, Jataka narratives recall a hunting king and the deer who teaches the king compassion and an elder with two adopted pigs who teach compassion and encourage choosing to eat only plants.
Tension
In addition to buying animal products, some Buddhists harm animals in blood sacrifice, through buy-and-release, and some Buddhist temples harm animals for the sake of profit.
Living
Core Buddhist ethics and philosophy, such as ahimsa and reincarnation, invite us to choose only plant products.
Advocacy
Buddhism has a strong tradition of activism on behalf of animals, as exemplified by the Buddha, bodhisattvas, King Ashoka, and those practicing Engaged Buddhism today.