Burning Tiger Skins And Protesting Cartoons

Two simultaneous religious driven activities are taking place in the world right now.

About three weeks ago, the Dalai Lama completed his teachings on the Kalachakra in India. As reported by many animal rights groups, he took this opportunity to denounce the use of tiger skins by Buddhist Practicitioners. He passionately spoke of the tragedy of killing endangered animals, most notably tigers. Tigers are being killed in India and the skins are being smuggled into Tibet to be sold for rugs, coats, and decorations.

Within a week, Tibetans throughout Tibet, Nepal, and India began destroying all animal fur, especially tiger skin, items. Monasteries held bonfires to destroy them. As the result, much of trade in skins has stopped. There is no market for illegal traders.*

Now in other parts of the world we see aggressive protests against cartoons that were published in some newspapers. The protests are not limited to protest and aggressive actions against the publisher. The protesters are destroying Embassies and businesses associated with the countries where the cartoons were published. Again this is based on a religious edict.

So we can look at both of these situations s being similar. However, they are very very different. The first one has only good intentions and has positive results. The second has negative intentions and has negative consequences.

I am not here to judge religious practices but I think I am going to stick with the practices of Buddhism.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff

*footnote: It was reported this last weekend that the Chinese have now outlawed the burning of skins in Tibet. Those caught doing so shall be arrested as being in collusion with the Dalai Lama. Nine have been arrest in one area on the first day. The government of China….get a life! I think that they should have more important problems to work with than Tibetans burning their tiger skins in order to support the survival of the species.