Wave of Bliss

Author(s): N P Jain
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Centre

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THE WAVE OF BLISS
birds or whales, but all creatures are created equal. One would regard killing as killing, whether it was inflicted on humans, seals, lobsters, fish, sheep, cows or anyone. All living beings breathe. When they die, the life force ebbs away. When death is caused at the hand of another, there is suffering. There is pain. There is fear, terror, and agony. There are no exceptions.
It is nearly spring time. Along with the budding blossoms of leaves and flowers and grass, along with the planting of gardens, and the sweet scent in the air, along with the melting of the snows, there is another not so joyous event going on in our universe. The birth of baby seals would be a joyous occurrence if it were not a delivery into the hands of murder, excruciating pain, and death. Can we not stop it? If human babies were subjected to this, the law would step in immediately, regardless of the murderer's excuses. Does a seal mother feel any less maternal loving than a human mother? Especially right after birth? Can you imagine watching your own new born baby smashed over the head with a baseball bat a few hours after you gave birth? It is unthinkable. And yet it is not only thought of; it is executed, year after year, after year, despite protests and determined efforts on the part of animal lovers and humanitarians who feel that life is sacred, regardless of the form in which it is found.
When womankind will stop turning a deaf ear to brutality wherever it is, when womankind will stop condoning tyranny by supporting the machines of tyranny (agribusiness which streamline the business of animal confinement and slaughter, fur farms which breed, confine, strangle, or asphyxiate foxes, minks, rabbits, and other innocent creatures for profit, cosmetics industries which squeeze or scrape openings near the reproductive organs for future perfumes, which harpoon whales for lipsticks,
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