World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference – Resolution to establish a Standing Committee on Animal Welfare
Posted on August 14th, 2014
Senaka Weeraratna (Hony. Secretary,German Dharmaduta Society)
The German Dharmaduta Society being a Regional Centre will be proposing a Resolution to establish a Standing Committee on Animal Welfare at this Conference.
The draft of the Resolution is attached for your information.
The support of the other Regional Centres of the WFB is vital for the successful passage of this Resolution.
Senaka Weeraratna
(Hony. Secretary,
German Dharmaduta Society)
The 27th General Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists
Resolution
- Name of the Host of the Resolution (Proposer)
Senaka Weeraratna
Position: Hony. Secretary
Name of the WFB Regional Centre or Organisation
German Dharmaduta Society
Contact Address
14, Bethesda Place, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
Tel. + 94 (011) 258 9687
+ 94 (011) 259 0388
+ 94 (077) 343 5160 (mobile)
Email: senaka.weera@gmail.com
- The Title of the Resolution
Proposal to establish an Animal Welfare Standing Committee
Text of the Resolution
Whereas
Buddhism places an unequivocal high emphasis on peace and non –violence, expresses moral concern and respect for the lives of all living beings on the indisputable basis that life is dear to all, and extols the cultivation of loving – kindness and compassion on par with that of a mother who protects with her life her only child, and calls on humanity to cherish all living beings with a boundless heart radiating kindness over the entire world (Karaniya Metta Sutta);
Whereas
As much as the protection of the ecological environment including its living creatures is of paramount importance, and a moral and civic responsibility has been cast on humanity to prevent the rapid diminution of earth’s resources which are finite, likewise the curtailment of the abuse and cruelty committed on animals is a moral obligation that need to be emphasized and supported particularly by Buddhist Organisations committed to the propagation and spread, and practice of Buddhism;
Whereas
The World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) has responded to the need for supporting humanitarian causes in the world by establishing a Standing Committee on Humanitarian Services;
Likewise it is Hereby Resolved by the General Council of the WFB at the WFB 27th General Conference 2014 to establish a Standing Committee on Animal Welfare:
i) To promote Animal Welfare, Animal Rights (right to life and to be free from suffering) and Buddhist tenets of compassion for all living beings,
ii) To monitor legislation and enforcement of laws on Animal Protection, Animal Rights and Animal Welfare in various countries with a view to ushering in reform and updating of such legislation incorporating modern standards of treatment of animals, and
iii) To provide an Annual Report with Recommendations and Measures adopted towards the prevention of cruelty and abuse of animals; and promotion of animal welfare in the member countries of WFB, and in the rest of the world.
- The Conceptual Framework of the Resolution
It is based on the Buddha’s First Precept of the Pancha Seela, the Noble Eightfold Path, Karaniya Metta Sutra and in line with the overall teachings of the Buddha.
- How the Proposed Resolution will be implemented if it is adopted by the General Conference
a) The main purpose of the Standing Committee is to give voice to the suffering of animals and draw the attention of Buddhists and Buddhist countries to their plight and recommend measures to eliminate or reduce their suffering in line with Buddhist teachings
b) To support the enactment and / or updating of Animal Welfare legislation in Buddhist countries
c) To prepare policy papers for release by the WFB reminding Buddhists that the Buddha extended compassion and non – harming to all sentient beings and accordingly act in specific contexts of animal abuse and suffering.
- Participation and allocation of the budgets by those concerned for realization of the Resolution
The primary purpose of the Standing Committee on Animal Welfare is to give voice to the suffering of animals. However if any funds are required then efforts will be made to seek such funds from established Animal Rights and Animal Welfare organisations and other charitable institutions.
- Observation and / or recommendation (if any)
This step of the WFB in moving towards Animal Welfare and Protection of Animals is long overdue for the premier World Buddhist Organisation.
Signed ……………………………………………
(Senaka Weeraratna)
Position: Hony. Secretary, German Dharmaduta Society
Date: August 14, 2014
August 14th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
One of the biggest threats animals face is the prolific use of commercial chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, etc. that ultimately harm the ecosystem. It is a long lasting silent killer and due to the massive human population it has a greater reach than the human presence itself. Chemicals that may not be harmful to humans such as Imidacloprid or Permethrin are extremely harmful to aquatic life and to the wild life. Imidacloprid is extensively used in a variety of fields and they are only two of thousands of chemicals, hormones and other substances needed to support the growing human population, now at 7 Billion. If we do not find alternatives that can support the human population while not harming the animal kingdom then the whole issue of this meeting is fruitless.
This is where Sri Lanka’s and India’s traditional schools of medicine can play a world role. Schools such as Ayurveda, Siddharth, and Unani are traditional Indian schools of medicine and medical treatment that can be applied to our environment and bring in enormous profits.
In addition it is time for Sri Lanka’s Botanists and other scientists to seriously study the incredible diversity of Sri Lanka’s flora and fauna to find new environmentally friendly alternatives to the current use of a range of chemicals from Western Pharmaceutical companies.
This is a valuable role the Buddhist Sanga can take on without government approval to develop an entire field by recruiting the talent in Sri Lanka and abroad. My personal opinion is that Sri Lanka has as much potential biochemical resources than the oil producing nations of the world and by patenting new discoveries Sri Lanka can lead the world in environmentally friendly new chemicals that support and expand the Buddhist Darhma while bringing in commercial profits that could be used to promote Buddhism in Sri Lanka and abroad.