An extended dialogue:
S: Is it possible to use soy milk as one of the auspicious offering items instead of cow milk for the Tara retreat? I’m making this request due to the plight of milk cows these days:
‘Cattle reared for milk production are exploited and made to suffer, just like animals reared for meat. They suffer from lameness, mastitis (inflammation of the udders) and other illnesses and – worst of all – they are forcibly separated from their calves just days after they are born so that humans can drink their milk. Cows are not some kind of special animal that produces milk automatically: just like every other animal, including us, they only produce milk to nurse their young. Male dairy calves, meanwhile, are useless to the dairy industry and are usually shot at birth.’ – http://viva.org.uk/goingvegan/index.php
Am sure that Tara, who stands for compassion will understand. The use of kinder milk will more greatly align with her compassion. It would be a more truly auspicious offering too, including for the spared cows.
Q: Hi, I have forwarded your enquiry to our Buddhist society’s President… Thanks for being concerned about the Mummy cows and their babies. Om Mani Padme Hung! _/|\_