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cruelty to animals occurs, in a similar way, in the USA, India, in big cities, villages, and the world at large. By consuming dairy (milk, cheese, butter, ghee, and ice cream) and other products as mentioned above we directly support large-scale cruelty to animals. One should pay attention to animals, not in a sentimental way, but in a way, that gives both animals and humans the freedom to pursue their own paths and to fulfill their self-made destinies.
It is our humble request to the readers that they should try to reduce the use of dairy products, silk, wool, and Varakh (silver or gold foils) at home and eliminate in temples and in rituals. Also, they should serve vegan (vegetarian food without dairy products) food in all religious functions. The information on various articles was collected from many sources over many years. We have collected significant information from People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA - Ingrid Newkirk), Beauty Without Cruelty of India, Dr. Neal D. Bernard's books and tapes, literature and articles of John Robbins, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Narendra Sheth, Sangeeta Kumar and Dr. Christopher Chapel. We are very thankful for their and many others' contribution in the field of nonviolence, compassion, ecology, and environment. We are highly obliged to Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji who has been a constant encouragement to us in compiling and publishing this book.
We are very thankful to Anita Parikh for book layout, picture selection, and overall editing of the book, and Sudhir Belani (Shivam) for the title cover design of the book.
We hope this booklet will be well received by its readers and it will serve its intended purpose to educate the Indian community at large. If you have any more information, comments, or corrections to the information found in any of the articles, please let us know. We continuously update these articles and add latest information.
Pramoda Chitrabhanu Jain Meditation International Center, New York
Pravin K. Shah JAINA Education Committee Raleigh, North Carolina
THE BOOK OF COMPASSION
