Below is something from four years back, that I thought would be appropriate to reproduce here, as an article categorised under Veganism – which is really more than not eating animal produce, but being mindfully sensitive to sentient beings in all areas of life. The article came to mind as some friends organised a birthday celebration in the form of sharing a (eggless but dairy) cake on a grass patch. As a subtle protest, I sent my regards to the birthday girl and went off. Thereafter, I sent the verses below to explain for my ‘anti-social’ behaviour.
For the cake part, here’s why I declined : http://wp.me/p54LT-3w3
For the grass part, here’s why… Of Loving-kindness to Our Tiny Friends (Some reflections after a retreat in the wild)
Insects
The Buddha says in the Surangama Sutra,
‘…all Bodhisattvas always refrain even from walking on grass…’
How very touching! It makes me want to cry.
To be reminded not to forget…
to respect even a blade of grass,
to love the tiny creatures below,
to protect their hidden homes,
to take no one at all for granted.
Flies
Maybe the summer flies have something to say to you,
in a language you do not understand,
as they buzz near your ears in an excited dance,
as they kiss your cheeks.
For some reason they come near.
For some reason they do not fear.
Pray try to hear what they say.
Give them some time,
don’t just shoo them away.
Distant relatives maybe, from a previous life.
It is reunion time.
May they be well and happy.
Ants
What does it mean, when you circumambulate the Bodhi Tree
in ‘mindfulness’ of wishing all beings to be well and happy,
when you are not mindful of the ants trampled beneath your feet,
as you go round and round, the tree, turning the wheel of life and death?
What sense does it make, when you reverence the Bodhi Tree
and forget to revere the many tiny Buddhas-to-be,
who got in your way, as you dodge them with impatience instead of compassion,
when they are companions on your path to Enlightenment?
Spiders
Be careful of the web you bump into in the morning.
It might have been spun last night.
Did it get in your way, or you in its?
Even if it irritates you, please be kind,
for it is the little spider’s lifeline.
If we can learn to be kind
even to our tiniest friends,
who will we not be kind to?
May All Beings Be At Ease
The Buddha says in the Metta Sutta,
‘May all beings be at ease.
Whatever living beings there may be;
Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,
The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,
The seen and the unseen
Those living near and far away,
Those born and to-be-born,
May all beings be at ease!’
May all beings be at ease,
as they put each other at ease.
Easy now, easy, easy…
Give ease, ease, ease.