Vegetarianism Scientific And Spiritual Basis

Author(s): Jashwant B Mehta
Publisher: Jashwant B Mehta

Page 38

Chapter VII
RITUAL OF ANIMAL AND BIRD SACRIFICES PERFORMED IN THE NAME OF RELIGION
"If a man lives a hundred years and engages the whole of his time and attention in religious offerings to the gods, sacrificing elephants and horses and other things, all this is not equal to one act of pure love in saving life".
- Lord Buddha "All the acts of devotion will avail nothing to a man who sacrifices animals".
- Kabir "It is not their flesh, nor their blood, that reaches Allah; nor yet their blood, but your devotion will reach him".
- Quran 2:196; 2:28 . 35-37 "Whoever is kind to the creatures of God, is kind to himself".
- The Prophet Muhammad?
The practice of offering animals for sacrifices in the name of religion is still a tragic reality and common feature in our present day society. On the day of Bakri-Id, goats or sheep (or even camels in some countries) are sacrificed in large numbers as a part of their ritual tradition by Muslims in the name of religion. Over a period of time, it has become a socially imposed custom in most of the Muslim communities. (The flesh of slaughtered animals is eaten as a part of the festival). Is killing or sacrificing of innocent animals in the name of religion justified? The practice of offering animals for sacrifices to please deities was also common in ancient India among Hindus. It was the impact of teachings of Mahavira and Buddha which nearly put an end to these cruel rituals and changed the thinking of the Society. However, even now in few Hindu communities in rural areas as well as in some tribal communities, these rituals to sacrifice animals continue and are performed on certain festival days. The flesh of the animals sacrificed is eaten by many as a part of the festival. It is to the credit of Organizations like 'Beauty without Cruelty'
A mystic Saint (15th century A.D.) equally revered by both the Hindus and Muslims in India.
By Abdallah bin Amru, in Bukhari and Muslim collections.