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Chinese New Year of the Tiger – Budddhism and Animals
by EVOLVE!
The upcoming Chinese New Year falls on February 14, 2010, when we’ll be ringing in the Year of the Tiger. In the East, the Tiger symbolizes power, passion and daring. It is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.
Several famous Chinese zodiac legends are the basis for the twelve animal signs used in Chinese astrology. The Chinese lunar calendar is the longest chronological record in the world, dating back to 2600 BC. The most well known legend for the Chinese zodiac animals is that Buddha invited all of the animals to participate in a race, and the first 12 animals to make it from one side of the river to the other would be placed on the Chinese calendar
All the animals set out across the river and, surprisingly, the rat was the first to reach the bank. Instead of trying to swim against the other strong animals, the rat jumped on the back of the ox and rode across the river. Before reaching the shore, the rat hopped off and touched the ground first. The ox immediately followed.
The tiger was also a very strong swimmer, so he came in third. The rabbit was fourth since he jumped his way across the river and was helped during the final feet by the dragon. The dragon was next, followed by the horse that was carrying the snake in its hoof. The snake jumped out as they reached the shore and scared the horse into seventh place.
The sheep, monkey and rooster all helped each other across. The dog would have been close to the front but decided to take a bath halfway through the river. Finally, the pig reached the opposite shore after resting halfway through the race, and the pig completed the Chinese Zodiac.
The history of Buddhism and Animals
Buddhism is intrinsically an animal-friendly religion. Its teachings require its followers to treat animals kindly:
1. Buddhists try to do no harm (or as little harm as possible) to animals
2. Buddhists try to show loving kindness to all beings, including animals
3. The doctrine of right livelihood teaches Buddhists to avoid any work connected with the killing of animals
4. The doctrine of karma teaches that any wrong behaviour will have to be paid for in a future life – so cruel acts to animals should be avoided
5. Buddhists treat the lives of human and non-human animals with equal respect
Buddhists see human and non-human animals as closely related:
1. Both have Buddha-nature
2. Both have the possibility of becoming perfectly enlightened
3. A soul may be reborn either in a human body or in the body of a non-human animal
Buddhists believe that is wrong to hurt or kill animals, because all beings are afraid of injury and death:
“All living things fear being beaten with clubs. All living things fear being put to death. Putting oneself in the place of the other, let no one kill nor cause another to kill.” ~Dhammapada 129
Buddhism and Nature
Buddhism is a religion that is fully aware of the need for environmental protection. Not only does it urge people to protect human lives, it also encourages protection for nature, because every being on earth possesses the Buddha nature. For this reason, Buddhism advocates no killing out of respect and compassion for other beings, because all living beings are entitled to the right of life.
Not killing is a sign of compassion and respect for life. The respect and care for life demonstrated by Chinese Buddhism can be proven by the following verses composed by great masters from the past:
“My flesh and sentient beings’ flesh, although different in name and form, are the same nature in nature. Animals suffer pain and agony while we enjoy their sweet and tender flesh. There is no need for Yama to judge; we ourselves can imagine what the consequences shall be.”
“Who says the lives of this flock of birds are insignificant? They are also flesh and blood. Please do not aim your shots at the birds resting atop those branches, because their sucklings are awaiting their mother’s return to their nest.”
King Asoka, a pious believer of Buddhism also created forests to provide better shelters for animals. He even set up animal hospitals and ordered his imperial chefs not to kill animals. All of the above are ideal examples of how Buddhism protects life.
Many people wonder how plants should be understood in light of the precept against killing. Since plants clearly are living beings, is it not also wrong to kill plants? Buddha said that since animals and insects have awareness, or sentience, they are very different from plants. In the end, all of the things of this world have Buddha Nature and all of them should be respected, but since animals have sentience, they should be treated with special respect, for they, like us, are in the midst of a journey that ends only in complete awakening.
Buddhism and Vegetarianism
Buddhism became widespread in India with the conversion of the emperor Ashoka, who reigned from 268 to 223 B.C, and it spread to China during the first century AD. The Buddhist principle of “ahimsa,” or doing no harm, was a natural fit with the ancient Chinese tradition of vegetarianism, which can be traced back to the prophet king Fu Xi. During the Fifth century A.D. the emperor Liang of Wu tried to require all Chinese vegetarian monks to follow a vegetarian diet. His evangelism sparked controversy, but even today many Chinese monks and laypeople continue to practice a vegetarian diet.
The Great Nirvana Sutra says, “People who eat meat disturb the growth of great compassion. Whether they are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, other sentient beings can smell the meat they have eaten and thus they are afraid.”
Chinese Buddhists generally place more emphasis on vegetarianism than Buddhists from other traditions.
Bad Karma
Unfortunately Buddhist behaviour towards and thinking about animals is not always positive as can be seen by the growing level of cruelty occurring in China these days. An explanation for this disconnection, which directly contradicts the Buddhist teachings of selflessly acting to alleviate suffering wherever it appears, could be that the doctrine of karma implies that souls are reborn as animals because of past misdeeds. This may seem harmless, however, being reborn as an animal is considered a serious spiritual setback. Because non-human animals can’t engage in conscious acts of self-improvement they can’t improve their karmic status, and their souls must continue to be reborn as animals until their bad karma is exhausted. Only when they are reborn as human beings can they resume the quest for nirvana.
This bad karma, and the animal’s inability to do much to improve it, led some Buddhists in the past to think that non-human animals were inferior to human beings and so were entitled to fewer rights than
human beings. Sadly therefore, early Buddhists (but not the Buddha himself) used the idea that animals were spiritually inferior as a justification for the exploitation and mistreatment of animals and the theory has grown. This, however, goes against the ideal example of how Buddhism protects life.
Our Hope for the Future
As we approach the auspicious year of the Golden Tiger, let us hope for a more enlightened regard for animals in China and the rest of the world, because only by replacing the killing with protection for life, and then progressing to advocating the right for life in ALL animals, will we recover a healthy earth and bright future
Chinese Vegetarian Foods
By the time Buddhism made its way to China, the country already had already embraced tofu as a staple that could be gracefully substituted for meat. Many Chinese dishes use meat and tofu, but tofu contains enough protein to stand on its own in vegetarian dishes. The Chinese never incorporated dairy products, such as milk and cheese, into their diets on a large scale, so Chinese Buddhist foods tend to be vegan as well as vegetarian. There is also a strong Chinese vegetarian tradition of preparing meat-like products from soy and wheat gluten
Buddha’s Delight
One of the most popular Chinese Buddhist dishes is called “Buddha’s Delight”. It is traditionally served on the Chinese New Year, but it is also available throughout the year, and you can find it on the menu at most Chinese restaurants. It consists of mixed vegetables and tofu stir fried with soy sauce. Different chefs have their own versions of the dish, which typically contains 18 ingredients.
Buddha’s Delight Recipe
For extra flavour, vegetarian stock can be used instead of the mushroom soaking liquid.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
4 dried Shitake or Chinese black mushrooms
1/2 cup dried lily buds
4 dried bean curd sticks
8 ounces bamboo shoots
6 fresh water chestnuts
2 large carrots
1 cup shredded Napa cabbage
4 ounces snow peas
1/4 cup canned gingko nuts
1 knuckle of ginger, crushed
Sauce:
4 tablespoons reserved mushroom soaking liquid or vegetable stock
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh coriander
Other:
Vegetable or peanut oil for stir-frying, as needed
Salt to taste
Preparation:
1. In separate bowls, soak the mushrooms, dried lily buds, and dried bean curd sticks in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes to soften. Squeeze out any excess liquid. Reserve the mushroom soaking liquid, straining it if necessary to remove any grit. Remove the stems and cut the mushroom tops in half if desired.
2. Slice the bamboo shoots. Peel and finely chop the water chestnuts. Peel the carrots, cut in half, and cut lengthwise into thin strips. Shred the Napa cabbage. String the snow peas and cut in half. Drain the gingko nuts. Crush the ginger.
3. Combine the reserved mushroom soaking liquid or vegetarian stock with the Chinese rice wine or sherry, dark soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil. Set aside.
4. Heat the wok over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil to the heated wok.
5. When the oil is hot, add the carrots. Stir-fry for 1 minute, and add the dried mushrooms and lily buds. Stir-fry for 1 minute, and add the water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, snow peas and ginger. Stir in the shredded cabbage and gingko nuts. Add the bean curd sticks.
6. Add the sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover, turn down the heat and let the vegetables simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and add salt as desired. Sprinkle with coriander. Serve hot
