Light of Nonviolence

Author(s): Sushilmuni
Publisher: Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh Delhi

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CHAPTER 3
ANIMAL BEINGS
Owning to the physical and karmic structure of nonhuman animals, their ways of expressing the consciousness of spiritual energy differ in many respects from human beings. However, owing to the sameness of Life-force or universal consciousness, these differences are often a matter of degree and not of kind. The following stories narrate how the consciousness of animals can resemble and even surpass humans at times.
Are human beings superior to other animals? What determines superiority in a species?
And what determines superior moral devel opment? Are humans superior to nonhuman animals? If yes, in what ways are we? If no, why not?
This is a crucially important area of inquiry for Guruji since the relationships that we have or do not have with animal beings tell us a lot about our own world. There is no doubt where Guruji's moral sentiments lie. The wonder is how we could ever think of ourselves as being so different.
Do you accept and celebrate your animality? In India, the cow and the buffalo are considered sacred animals. Are we sacred as both animals and persons?
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