Animal Sacrifices
Posted on August 27th, 2012
Jay Deshabandu
Animal sacrifices are an ancient religious practice. The offering is supposed to relive the sin of the man who sacrifices his worthy animal to God. Many people practice animal sacrifices just to please God without thinking of its meaning.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Buddhism condemns such practice and many Buddhists believe that it is animal cruelty.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ I personally believe it is just animal cruelty.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In Christianity such practice exists in one form or another in different denomination. In Islam this practice is prevalent.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ But my view is that such practice should be abandoned as man had developed from primitive stage to a modern man who can sacrifice himself by just being a good person. In the modern world, it is difficult to do business, for example, without some form of lie or deception. In the modern world it is difficult to be a just good person. TodayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s man is materialistic. Offering of money for poor is a better sacrifice to replace a oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sin because God should think that it is harder to give money in his name rather than a lamb, a pig, chicken or a bird. In todayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s world these cannot replace a manƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sin and they are useless when linking with God.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ God does not want blood or flesh from any animal which he created. But this practice continued since manƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s price worthy things, back then was only the live stock. Now, manƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s worthiness is measured in terms of vehicles he drives, extravagant houses he owns, vast lands he owns or the mountain of cash he owns in a bank account. God has the wisdom to see that an innocent goat is a peanut when compared to a bank account with millions of cash. So offering of a goat cannot please God.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ God is not blood thirsty and he certainly does not encourage people to sacrifice little things with less value when compared to other material things man possess.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In this modern age, can anyone think of sacrificing a goat would relieve his sin? In this modern age, God is perfectly happy to link a man who sacrifices part of his wealth to hapless people.
August 27th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Well said Jay! In MHO, if God is what He is supposed to be, he would definitely not want any animal sacrifices as it is definitely cruelty to animals. Just imagine what wrong the animal has done to suffer at the hands of such rude people.
To make animal sacrifices to God is to denigrate God to the same level as the Devil or evil. Will God reward such foolish, unkind and selfish people or will he punish them? If there is a God who rewards such cruelty, should people have any respect for them? You be the judge.
August 27th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Last year the controvercial minister saved the animals taken for needless slaughter.
With an election just around the corner, this barbaric practice will be allowed to continue this year.
Munneswaram animal slaughter is barbaric and a disgrace to all civilised societies.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:33 am
Dilrook it looks when it comes to Election and vote human values goes to dogs. see in Sri Lanka society there are well know public figures who earns million of Rs:by selling drugs, illicit trades, casinos, horse race bookies etc. But they are the “good Buddhist” praise even by high rank Monks as well, than ordinary innocent & simple villager
August 28th, 2012 at 6:00 am
It is good that the topic of Animal Sacrifices is brought into the open and discussed.
Some points to raise under this topic :
(1) Which sector of Hindu society practices such animal sacrifices ? Animal sacrifices are popular among the low caste Hindu folk of India. It has spread to Sri Lanka from India.
(2) Why are such sacrifices not performed in other Hindu Temples such as Kataragama etc. ? Because Kataragama Kovil is not caste related.
(3) Cannot the Hindu Poosaris of Hindu Temples not practicing such sacrifices influence the Temples practicing sacrifices to stop such practices ? So long as caste exists among Hindu people, it may prove difficult to do so.
(4) Why are animal sacrifices popular with some Hindu people ? Because the flesh of such animals slaughtered in ritual sacrifice is distributed among the poor who are usually low caste people in Hindu society. Animal sacrifice is a practice among the protein starved poor sectors of India (usually low caste/Dalit sectors) to distribute food/proteins to the poor, and this practice has spread to Sri Lanka as well.
Usually it is the wealthy Hindu people who give the animals for sacrifice, and flesh used to feed the poor. It is a complex ANCIENT way to feed the poor, and not necessary to do so now. Similar rituals were done in ancient Greece, but certainly not now.
If I am wrong in the above assumptions, please do correct. Writing in as we only wish to bring to light why these practices are done within some sectors in the Hindu religion, and showing that such practices are now not necessary in Sri Lanka. There is plenty of other sources of protein now available here. Alternately, cooked meat dishes can be brought to the Hindu Temples and distributed to the poor.
August 28th, 2012 at 6:03 am
More on point (2) : A far as we know, in the Hindu pantheon of mini-gods, no animal sacrifices are made in Kovils dedicated to the ‘higher gods’.
August 28th, 2012 at 6:08 am
JAY !!! I have been at Munneswaram early morning with a friend. What I saw was horrendous and sadistic. They took a goat for slaughter. Please believe me, the goat was crying, and shaking its head, not to do it. Yet those TAMIL HINDU BASTARDS CHOPPED HIS NECK OFF IN ONE SWING OF THE SWORD. These THBs want to have a good meal, so this is a ruse to kill. No Health Inspectors to check the carcass for disease etc. Free food for these bastards.There should be a mafia to kill these buggers, if they dont stop it.
I fully endorsed Dr. Mervyns feelings for these animals. He should get ANIMAL SACRIFICE banned in this Buddhist Country Sri Lanka, by an enactment in Parliament. The Sangha should come out in full in favour and ensure that it is presented in Parliament.
Our Legislators and Politicians are 99% invertebrate. They play politics with Human Life and Animal life too.
Dr. Mervyn will be thrice blessed, the day he moves to stop ANIMAL SACRIFICE IN SRI LANKA. I wish him blessings of the NOBLE TRIPLE GEM in his efforts.
August 28th, 2012 at 9:13 am
We think that Animal Sacrifice in a Hindu Kovil is a Hindu (for animal sacrifice) / Hindu (against animal sacrifice) matter to be sorted out among themselves in an amicable manner.
As far as Buddhist Teachings are concerned, the Buddha rejected the Caste system as well as Animal Sacrifice.
We think that there are a few more issues here :
(a) Animal flesh as a Food (complete Proteins) : where animals are killed in a humane manner for food. If Complete Proteins to suit the palate that are not animal flesh an be presented in the market, we think that a lot of Sri Lankans will prefer to purchase such foods. Demand & Supply will create the market. Soy protein can make delicious meaty burghers with different flavors such as beef, chicken etc. In the long run, it is cheaper to produce Soy protein & Soy Milk compared to animal proteins & milk. Growing Organic Soy (which is a nitrogen fixing legume) is environmentally safer. It is far pleasanter work and easier too.
(b) Animal Sacrifice : Ancient rituals are not necessary any more. To assuage guilt feelings of killing animals, ancient people used to first offer the animal to gods or offer part of flesh to gods. In ancient Hindu culture, animal sacrifice in ancient India may have helped to soften barriers/anger between wealthy and poor, as the rich gifted the animals to the Kovils for slaughter and flesh distributed to the poor. Again, if food (including meats) must be distributed, ready cooked meats/meals can be easily distributed at the Kovils. It is just a matter of organising such meals. Educated Hindu folk should lead the way in such progressive thinking for Hindu people.
(c) Did the ltte extend slaughter of Sinhala & Muslim villagers using their “animal sacrifice” techniques ? Such easy cruelty must be eradicated.
August 28th, 2012 at 9:21 am
Animal Sacrifices
As I am Tamil hindhu person Yes I am against this very old tradtion !
but if this tradition is wrong than Halal meal tradition also wrong ??? so Dr. Mervyn can stop next ??? ( Muslin will cut his balls ??? )
They play politics with Human Life and Animal life too !!!- Agrred !!!
August 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Muslin will cut his balls ??? Oh no !!! They already got some portion cut isnt it ? Dr. Mervyn will ensure that the whole thing is cut off for sure. Playing with Dr. Mervyn is like playing with a BLACK MAMBA, whose Kiss of Death is certain.So let the muslins not ever think of it.
August 28th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Andy,
Muslim people do not slaughter animals in their places of worship, i.e. Mosque. They are also instructed to take care of animals properly if animals are raised as food and other uses. They also use the most humane method possible in slaughter of animals, and slaughtering is done in abattoirs. As far as I know, they do not make animal sacrifices.
Some people need animal protein, and I have no quarrel with that. I myself am a vegetarian, but will eat eggs and take milk products occasionally. I am better health by following this diet. Vegetarians should take amino acid tablets.
August 28th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Fran:
I saw Mosques in Pakistan used as slaughter houses. Muslimm kill animals with a religious prayer. Then only the ‘halal” meat comes.
Now the Muslim politics is pro-government. So, you idiots try to “justify” muslims.
Susantha:
Mervyn is ducking against Muslims because of the politics. Hindus can be easily victimized. I think Mervyn is afraid of Muslims and Andy is correct!
Buddhist monks killed a Prime Minister, involved in murders, crimes etc; Where are those “Buddhists”? Now Monks too eat beef. Monks have a political party also. Where is the Buddhism? So, the point is anti-Hindu or Anti-Tamils is the issue.
Buddhism is the state religion of Sri Lanka. Who are the people regulate Buddhism in Sri lanka? Monks or Mervyn or hela Urumaya?
Sinhala racism always run and get refuge in Buddhism! That is a ‘cruelty” against Buddha and his teachings!
August 28th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Mudali,
I do not know what Muslim people do abroad, but in Sri Lanka they do not sacrifice animals in Mosques.
According to the internet information, animal sacrifices are made by Muslims to symbolise the sacrificing of Abraham’s son.
Do you expect Sri Lankans & GoSL to correct the entire world ?? !! If each of us correct ourselves, then the world will be a better place for us all.
August 28th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Correction: “According to the internet information, animal sacrifices are made by Muslims to symbolise the sacrificing of Abraham’s son” should read as ” … Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son ….”. ( Also, Abraham is A-Brahm showing the connection between the ancient religious groups ?).
August 28th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Instead of sacrificing goats, tigers should be sacrificed. 2 legged tigers.
August 28th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Whenever Buddhists or Hindus into any slghtest wrong the world is howling at the top of their voices condemning it. Is it because they are non violent. They won’t send you a suicide bomber. Animal sacrifices are done by much more larger scale by Muslims, Christians, Jews and so on. Aren’t Halal killing of animals done at abeteurs daily at much more larger scale. How many animals are killed at Christmas, at Ramazan, and in Jewish festivals. This is all Judeo-Christial double standards. Any animal killing is bad whether it is to eat or for satisfy a God. Don’t try to be holier than thou?
August 29th, 2012 at 2:14 am
Lorenzo
stead of sacrificing goats, tigers should be sacrificed. 2 legged tigers.- Agrred ( with 2 ledgged lion )!!!
August 29th, 2012 at 4:51 am
High time all ancient blood lust rituals and archaic caste systems were put to rest. The world is entering a New Age of awareness, essential for survival – flow with it !