== ANIMALS RIGHTS & ANIMAL PETS ==
Namaskar,
Right now on this planet we see so much suffering-- it is pervasive
throughout the globe and not limited to human beings. Animals also undergo
terrible suffering, unnecessarily. We can say that cruelty to animals is
rampant and, tragically, often openly accepted.
This mistreatment and undue harm to animals occurs everywhere: From Hong
Kong to Buenos Aires and from New York to Cape Town. That is well known.
But it also has to be admitted that the mistreatment of animals is much
more prevalent in the west, i.e. in those lands guided by the Semitic
religions.
As our Marga aims to eradicate the suffering of all beings, we should
clearly identify and carefully analyse the root cause behind such animal
suffering. By that way we can quickly bring about a healthy, universalistic
order that ensures the welfare of not only humans, but also plants and
animals.
PHILOSOPHY IS THE CAUSE
Wherever people live and whatever land they call their home, the common
inhabitants become coloured by the philosophy of that place. This happens
to just about everyone. And as we shall see this is the root cause of the
mistreatment of animals in our western nations.
Baba says, "In this universe there are people whose thoughts, character and
behaviour are similar...Characteristics inherent in a particular group get
mixed with the internal thoughts and ideas of other groups within a
society. This leads to the development of national characteristics. In this
way an entire national psychology - its external behaviour, its social
outlook, and its philosophy of life - is developed." (AFPS-6)
So each and every country has a particular way of living: A certain
mentality that projects a common mode of behaviour. This Baba terms as
prana dharma. And this shared outlook, or prana dharma, touches the very
core of the people of that land, region, or country.
ANIMAL (MIS)TREATMENT IN THE WEST:
HOW IT WORKS WITH THE SEMITIC RELIGIONS ETC
So in the west, where the guiding philosophy or prana dharma is highly
affected the Semitic religions-- Christian thought, Judaic beliefs, and
Muslim customs, animal cruelty is at its unnatural height & unholy peak.
Because the prevailing concept of all the these aforementioned religions is
that all the creatures exist on this planet solely for the exclusive
pleasure of human beings. In the name of their "God", they think like this.
So according to these dogmatic religions, animals are for human enjoyment
only and animals have no rights of their own. This is the crusty, age-old
Semitic way of thinking.
And indeed this defective approach has affected the preaching of so many
western thinkers from St Thomas Aquinas to Descartes to Kant, and various
others in between and after. None of these so-called great philosophers
recognise the rights of animals-- not in the least.
In turn, the common people living in those nations get deluged by an
onslaught of religious and intellect thought that teaches them: "Animals
are made for us"; "Animals are to be used for our human enjoyment". This is
their selfish outlook. So, with this defective mentality sitting in the
forefront of their mental plate, the people use and abuse animals,
senselessly.
This crude and defective approach has done untold harm in the past, as well
as led to the rise of horrific factory farms in this present era-- factory
farms that systematically and heartlessly bind & torture animals to keep up
with the ongoing demand of meats, poultry, mutton, and fish for human
consumption. This has been well-documented and anyone can view photos on
the web of the scandalous and cold-blooded treatment of the animals in such
factory farms. Even then that is not all.
Side by side, in those same western countries hunting laws are instituted
to ensure that there is 'enough game' so that humans can satisfy their
fancy and legally go out and shoot defenseless animals. And there are
numerous other examples and inhumane displays of animal mistreatment in the
western world that is fed and supported by the faulty Semitic views toward
animals.
All because, in the west, the common people have been flooded with the
religious propaganda that animals are merely a means to and end-- and that
'end' is human enjoyment. This crude mentality has shaped and molded the
minds of the people.
Verily, this is the mentality of the common populace including the kids.
That is why children-- without even thinking-- may pull the legs off of
various insects, or pour gasoline on beehives and burn them, or senselessly
kill squirrels, rodents, and even cats etc.
And the root cause behind it all is that selfish and dogmatic belief that
all these animals have been placed on this earth solely for the crude
pleasure & enjoyment of humans. So "we can do what we want to those
animals-- they are made for us". This is what their religious dogma preaches.
Whereas our neohumanism beautifully states that all beings are the divine
expression of Parama Purusa and we humans are to act as guardians and
ensure the right and proper treatment of all-- because all beings,
including animals, have their God-given rights and existential value. All
have the right to a healthy and happy life.
DON'T GET BEFOOLED BY THE 'PET' PSYCHOLOGY OF THE WEST
Those new to the western world or visiting for the first time may naively
think that animals have a high place in western society. Because in places
like the US, dog owners spare no expense for their pets. There are animal
hospitals which primarily treat dogs, plus there are doggie saloons, doggie
spas, dog groomers, doggie retreats, doggie vacations, doggie massages, and
even doggie yoga classes where pet owners bring their dogs to class and do
asanas with their cherished pets. So there are thousands of ways to pamper
your pet-- and it all costs a pretty penny, i.e. lots of money.
Seeing all this one may think that dogs and all animals are revered and
given high-status in the west. But that is just a bunch of nonsense. The
prevailing 'pet' psychology in the west all falls in their selfish &
hypocritical perspective-- that is all.
Those pet owner derive selfish pleasure from their doggie pets and praise
themselves for the grand way in which they care for their dogs, yet every
night their dinner plate is filled with the remnants of slaughtered animals
that suffered in misery before being sentenced to some painful and
deceitful death. And those same pet owners sport leather shoes & mink coats
that only further testify to the fact that they feel they can do anything
and everything with animals-- because those "animals are made for us". So
says their Christine doctrine and so says their conscience. And their
selfish & hypocritical behaviour perfectly reflects this very idea.
It should also be included that those very same pet owners have started
innumerable capitalist ventures that exploit animals to the bone in order
to maximize profits.
Hence, by seeing the conditions of 'pets', no one should hastily conclude
that those in the US people are very kind and sweet to animals. It is not
at all like that.
ECO-GROUPS & ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE THEIR AGENDA
Some might then say, 'Well what about all those animal rights groups and
eco-groups in the US-- doesn't that show that they care for animal welfare'.
And the quick and pointed reply is that many of those conservation groups
still subscribe to eating meat etc, and with regards to the eco-oriented
animals rights organisations, they also have their limited agendas such as
wanting to secure their home on this earth and for that they got involved
in environmental problems caused by a meat-based diet. Thereby those people
can continue to live on the planet and enjoy, whether it be rock-n-roll
music or other pseudo-culture trends. So theirs is not a wholly benevolent
or conscious approach. Rather it is inherently tainted with some other
motive-- whether they realise it or not.
And for those who few who may be internally sincere in their desire to help
animals, unfortunately they are not spiritually awakened enough to
understand that those animals are expressions of Parama Purusa and that we
are to serve Him by helping those animals.
So none of those groups are on par with AM and in 99% of the cases they
have a side-by agenda in mind. Yet they are all our brothers and sisters
and it is our bounden to guide them as best we can. And to guide them
properly, neither should we be in awe of their work nor should we despise
them as people. Rather ours should be a balanced approach where we
recognise their shortcomings so that we may best help them to advance.
Here the main idea is that the overall perspective of such advocacy
organisations is not one of seva. So although such groups may seemingly be
doing good work-- they are not "one" with our Marga. Because only our
neo-humanistic philosophy imbibes the belief that all are the expression of
Parama Purusa we have come to this world to serve others-- including plants
and animals-- and watch for their welfare.
No eco or animal rights group has this God-centered, neo-humanistic ideal
in mind.
SHORT RECAP
So in the nutshell that is the picture of animal mistreatment in the west
and it is all fueled by the selfish, dogmatic outlook of the Semitic
religions which states, "Animals are made for us".
THE SITUATION OF ANIMALS IN INDIA
The situation with regards to the treatment of animals in India is
comparatively better. No doubt there are some pitfalls, but at the same
time it has to be recognised that those early rishis of 15,000 years ago
preached the spiritual ideal that are all the expressions of Parama Purusa.
And this pure premise has filtered down to the Indian masses for generation
after generation.
Baba says, "The thoughts and ideals of India are quite different from the
other countries in the East. Since ancient times, India has been adhering
to her distinct pra'n'a dharma. Regarding life and the world, the Indian
people are certainly spiritually inclined. They look upon each and every
thought and deed as part of their spiritual practice." (AFPS-6)
And it is with this prana dharma firmly in mind that so many proper
practices have been implemented in life such as a purely sattvik diet as
well as a long standing belief that animals have a right to live on this
earth. They have this inherent right.
And when things went overboard and the Aryans came from outside and started
doing huge animals sacrifices and turning the rivers into pools of blood,
then great souls like Buddha and Mahaviira Jain echoed the words of those
rishis of old and came forward and opposed those cruel sacrifices.
Here the point is not that our Marga should emulate the Indian standard. We
have our neo-humanistic standard to follow and using that as a guideline it
has to be recognised that the moral and ethical treatment in India is far
higher than in those Semitic oriented countries like the US that are
dominated by the crude belief that "animals are made for us-- for human
enjoyment."
This wasteland of an idea was never present in the Indian mentality. And
one great proof of this is that one of the names of Lord Shiva is
'Pashupati'-- i.e. that Shiva is not just the God of humans but of animals
also. It is not just that Shiva taught sadhana to animalistic humans-- that
is not the only reason why He is called Pashupati; also He cared very
sweetly for animals and, being the Mahasambhuti, He preached this ideal as
well.
And since long in India it has been known that through the law of karma,
humans evolved out of animal life, which helps one recognise the value of
animal life. This is commonly understood within the Indian philosophical
tradition.
Here the point is not to glorify the Indian outlook. It has its defects and
has been certainly by infiltrated by the Aryans, Muslims, Britishers, and
Christians etc.
But at the same time we should recognise that those early Himilayan rishis who preached Samgacchadhvam, the yoga ideal, and other great teachings were also well aware that humans are to watch for the welfare of animals. And this message filtered down to the masses.
And still today, the common people in India will readily say, 'What right
do I have to hurt those animals, they are the expression of God'. How far
they follow this cent per cent in their life may vary-- but this idea is
commonly in the mind. And that is a heck of a step higher than the typical
American mentality, where one thinks, "Animals are made for us-- for my
enjoyment".
So comparatively speaking, India's treatment and regard for animals is
higher than the west has ever known.
CONTEMPORARY TRENDS
But in this ever-changing world, it is quite apparent that now the
unfortunate turn of events is going on where India has begun rushing
headlong after crude western ways. More and more they are slipping into the
capitalistic trap whereby animals are nothing but a means to and end. On
the plus side, however, more and more westerners are trying to leave
materialism and are harbouring a strong desire to fashion their life after
age-old eastern truths. This switchover is going on.
However, the tables have not turned yet-- not completely anyway.
So comparatively speaking India's view towards animals more closely
resembles the gold-bar standard of AM neo-humanism.
AM IS FAR ABOVE
In AM, our vision and perspective towards animals is pure and unblemished.
Baba has given all the ideal teachings and has pointed out the prevailing
dogmas.
Baba says, "Hindus worship cows as something holy, apparently because they
give us milk. But if cows are revered as mothers for giving us milk,
shouldn't buffaloes be given a similar status? Actually, buffaloes give
more milk than cows. Unfortunately, the blind religious followers refuse to
listed to logic as their religious sentiment for cows has taken root deep
in their minds. People are fed these ideas since childhood, so later on it
becomes impossible for them to discard them." (AFPS-2)
So our ideal is neither western, nor eastern-- neither American, nor
Indian. Our ideal is the neo-humanistic vision which Baba has given. That
alone can save the fate of animals on this earth.
ONLY SOLUTION: NEO-HUMANISM
With Baba's grand teaching of neo-humanism, then surely the future of
animals is bright and animal cruelty will be reduced, nay eradicated.
Baba says, "All molecules, atoms, electrons, protons, positrons and
neutrons are the veritable expressions of the same Supreme Consciousness.
Those who remember this reality, who keep this realization ever alive in
their hearts, are said to have attained perfection in life. They are the
real devotees, the real bhaktas. When the underlying spirit of humanism is
extended to everything, animate and inanimate, in this universe - I have
designated this as Neohumanism. This Neohumanism will elevate humanism to
universalism, the cult of love for all created beings of this universe."
(NH-LOI, Disc: 1)
So in Baba's divine teachings of neo-humanism, we are to immerse our mind
in His cosmic flow and realise the interconnectedness of all-- that all are
but expressions of Him. Fueled by the fire of this neo-humanistic ideal,
then naturally one will act as a benevolent guardian-- serving one and all
and watching for everyone's welfare, be they human, animal, plant, brick,
or stone.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace we will personify His teachings and spread the message of
animal welfare to all-- thereby eliminating, once and for all, the crude
Semitic belief that "Animals are made for us-- for human selfish enjoyment".
Baba says, "The human race must attain glory by giving due recognition and
justice to all." (HS-1)
Namaskar,
Jayanta
Note 1: THE EFFECT OF THE MONKEY GOD
The religions have a big effect on the mentality of the people. And in the
traditional Indian outlook, various animals like Hanuman are highly
regarded as being deities or mounts to the attainment of Brahmahood. And
the obvious plus point of such religious beliefs is that they have helped
infuse a certain respect towards the animal kingdom among the followers of
that faith. Because the people thereby truly believed that animals are not
just lowly creatures for human consumption, but rather expressions of
divinity etc. Whereas in the crude Semitic faiths, this type of high regard
for animals never takes expression, rather it is totally absent.
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Cooking Tips
Baba says, "If the vegetables get a little burnt and [you think] that 'Oh,
people can't eat this.' [Then] Quick- pour a lot of water onto them, and
add fifteen or twenty betel leaves. That will reduce the burnt effect."
(NKS, '97 Edn, p. 105)
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