WHY ANIMAL SUFFERS?
Today’s world is filled with negativity, and we are surrounded by an environment that has a harmful impact on people of all age groups, especially the youth. We are the future of our country and this world, but instead of promoting sustainability, we are engaging in unsustainable consumption. Predictions about the future of our planet are not favourable.
Why religion is born?
Our parents, teachers, and society have failed in fulfilling their responsibilities toward us. Slogans are everywhere, but we don’t truly understand their meaning. I believe (though I may be wrong) that the root cause of many of the issues we face today is the same—religion. I am not condemning any particular religion, but simply speaking about the facts. In my opinion, every person is born the same, but they come into religion later. During that time, they find security in their tribes or groups and develop fear toward others. This, I believe, is how hatred originated. Today, we have hundreds of religions, and I think each contains valuable knowledge about why we are born and what the ultimate purpose of life is. This, I believe, is the essence of every religion.
we all are responsible. Remember your God was animal lover. Don’t make them like you.
We often seek happiness outside of ourselves, but our approach is flawed—happiness comes second. I want to share my thoughts on animal protection: while laws exist, their implementation is lacking. The data is alarming. I specifically want to highlight India because there is a reason for it. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism all originated in Bharat, and all are peaceful religions. Peaceful means peaceful (you get it)—peace and love toward every living being. But sadly, we have failed to preserve this core value. Why have we failed? Do you have an answer? No, because we are slaves to our desires. We identify ourselves as merely physical bodies, but we are more than that. This is the key difference. Every living being can be measured on a scale of consciousness, from 1 to 10. Humans and animals both have physical characteristics, but their levels of consciousness differ. We justify meat consumption for religious purposes or as a food choice, but times have changed, and we must think about their suffering. Imagine feeling their pain as if it were your own. We cannot blame a specific group for this; when we fall from our own level of chetna (consciousness), we lose the true meaning of happiness. So, how can we maintain our chetna when we mistreat animals?
Real Animal Lover
Most people call themselves animal lovers, but in reality, they are not because they only love a few animals, like dogs and cats. We should respect and care for all animals; it is our responsibility. Whenever I see animals like cows roaming the streets with their calves, I start crying. I see the pain in their eyes—don’t you? We eat chicken, mutton, and other food, but the cruelty faced by these innocent animals is unbearable. It’s like living in a world of suffering we can’t fully comprehend.”
What is true Dharma?
I believe Dharma is not about what we wear, which rituals we practice, or which god we worship. It is about self-knowledge (Aatm Gyaan). Self-knowledge clears all distractions from our minds and provides a direct path to living a truly free life. Most of us believe that having a lot of money, being able to move freely, or receiving appreciation from others means we are free, but that’s not true. True freedom comes from freeing ourselves from our negative thoughts.”
- We teach our childrens that Sunday or Monday consume only eggs but from where these eggs came ? we are not interested in this . we are consuming more and more. I think people are sure that they are leaving the earth and going to mars with full comfortability. It is proven that meat leather industries are the main reasons for viruses, deseases, global warming etc.
Effect of Acharya Prashant on My Life:
I used to be involved in all the societal norms and practices introduced to me. After encountering Acharya Ji, at first, I was shocked and full of questions: What are they saying? How can they speak about my religion like that? But after spending some time watching his YouTube channel, I began to understand the true meaning of religion. Religion, as I now see it, is the system that frees us from our bondages. I believe he is one of the few people who can discuss a wide range of topics—marriage, science, dharma, wars, and more. He provides fundamental solutions to all problems. His virtual guidance has led me to change significantly. We are like Arjuna, and every moment of life, we play the role of Arjuna. Our questions to Krishna are similar to those in the Gita. Though we see hatred around the world, he is like a light for humanity. He is a true activist.
EYES SAYS EVERYTHING:
I believe every creature follows a similar pattern that can be observed. When a living being is in pain, we can feel it deeply and compassionately, but unfortunately, we often do the opposite—we increase their pain instead of reducing it. Their eyes say everything; they try to communicate their condition and suffering. If you spend even a little time with any animal, you will sense a connection between two beings—it is emotional and full of love. Learn to be alone, spend time with animals, give them food, and make them happy. We, as humans, are exaggerating our rights while diminishing the rights of others. Please stop this and save nature at any cost. Just try—place your hand on their back, and they won’t harm you. Everything depends on you. How you treat others will determine the reaction you receive.
Cruelty Against Animals in the Name of Religion:
Whenever I see cruelty toward animals, I feel deeply saddened for those innocent beings. I ask myself, What mistakes have they made? Why are they suffering? These questions are profound, and I have no answers for them. I come from a Hindu family, and I have witnessed many disturbing practices in my family and village. At that time, I was a non-vegetarian, and my family had no objections to my food choices. I believe this is the basic mistake we often make—ignoring the cruelty involved. Every parent should teach the next generation about this, but sadly, we have failed. Many of these practices are linked to religion, but over time, I realized that true religion cannot permit such harmful things. When I was around 18, through the teachings of Acharya Prashant, I realized this truth. I quit all meat products, became a vegetarian, and am now transitioning to veganism.
The second thing I want to share is about holy travel. People who visit Kedarnath and Badrinath in Uttarakhand often come as tourists, not true devotees. Throughout the year, their noisy and destructive behavior affects the local people. We need to reflect on this. how can it be fair to cause pain to horses and mules? Tell me, how can Shiva be pleased with you when you are involved in such activities?
VEGANISM IS THE SOLUTION:
Veganism is the only true solution to ending animal cruelty because it directly addresses the root of the problem human benefit.
- Eliminating Animal Suffering: Veganism seeks to end all forms of animal exploitation, whether for food, clothing, or other purposes. By choosing a vegan lifestyle, we stop supporting industries that rely on the suffering of animals, such as factory farming, the dairy industry, and the leather trade. These industries routinely subject animals to inhumane conditions, and veganism offers a way to break this cycle.
- Respecting All Life: Veganism aligns with the belief that all living beings, regardless of species, deserve respect and the right to live free from harm. Unlike other dietary choices, veganism doesn’t discriminate between which animals deserve compassion (like pets) and which can be exploited (like cows, chickens, or fish).
- Rejecting Violence: Animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs, come from industries that engage in systematic violence against animals. Whether it’s for food or clothing, the process involves killing or exploiting animals for their bodies. Veganism rejects this violence in all forms and advocates for a peaceful coexistence with other species.
- Environmental Impact: Beyond just animal suffering, animal agriculture is one of the leading causes of environmental destruction. From deforestation to greenhouse gas emissions, it contributes significantly to global problems. Veganism not only reduces the harm to animals but also helps protect the planet by minimizing our ecological footprint.