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Stop
slaughtering animals, appeals Himachal monastery
Wednesday November 24, 2010 03:43:24 PM,
IANS
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Shimla: A prominent,
centuries-old Buddhist monastery in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti
Valley Wednesday appealed to the people to stop slaughtering
animals and be more humane to other species, a spiritual head
said.
The appeal has been issued in the wake of the upcoming local
festive season mainly in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts
where a large number of animals are slaughtered annually.
"We have issued an appeal to the people who believe in Buddhism to
stop slaughtering the birds and animals and turn to
vegetarianism," Key monastery's spiritual head T.K. Lochan Tulku
Rinpoche told IANS.
He said on phone from Key village in Lahaul and Spiti district
that the appeal was issued to support the cause of Tibetan
spiritual leader the Dalai Lama who advocates love and compassion
to all, including animals.
The monastery is located atop a hill at an altitude of 13,668 ft.
It is the biggest in the Spiti Valley and commands a huge respect
in the region.
Monastery officials said the purpose of issuing the appeal at this
point in time is that the locals are now free from harvesting and
will participate in family celebrations only during the next few
months.
It's a tradition in the entire district, dominated mainly by the
tribals, to celebrate and solemnise functions only during winter.
Octogenarian Sonam Targe said: "When the entire area is marooned
by the snowfall, we usually pass time by stitching clothes and
knitting woollens. We celebrate family functions only in winter.
Most of the important local festivals also fall during this
period."
"On an occasion, at least 10 animals, mainly goats, sheep and yaks
are slaughtered for a feast. But now, this practice will stop
altogether as the locals believe in Buddhism," she said.
The monastery officials said the spiritual head has even warned
the locals that if they were caught slaughtering animals,
including the wild ones, or drinking liquor, a fine of Rs.20,000
would be imposed.
The area is populated mainly by Buddhists. The climatic conditions
of the area are harsh as much of the land falls under a cold
desert where the mercury drops below minus 20 degrees Celsius
during winter.
The picturesque Spiti Valley, some 350 km from Shimla, is a
sanctum-sanctorum of ancient Buddhist monasteries. Mane, Dhankar,
Tabo, Gungri, Mud, Lidang, Rangrik, Key, Losar and Hikkim are the
prominent monasteries in the area.
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