As you know, Buddhism promotes compassion in its teachings, and one of the practical actions to respond to that teaching is to release animals. Traditionally, life release is the act of freeing animals that are trapped, imprisoned, or otherwise in a life-threatening predicament. This action opens a new horizon for sentient beings, giving them the opportunity to live and be free.
The Concept of Life Release in Buddhism
The Buddhist practice of Tsethar is a beautiful act, it helps free animals that are being held captive in preparation for slaughter. When exploring a market near your home, you may come across birds or fish locked in cages waiting for customers to buy, their lives hanging in the balance. This sight may evoke feelings of sadness and a desire for help in you, marking the beginning of Tsethar.
As the Buddha taught, all life forms, regardless of size or type, have value. The release of these animals goes beyond a simple act of rescue; it symbolizes our deep connection to all living beings, recognizing a part of ourselves within them. Every living thing deserves the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Practicing Tsethar teaches us compassion, not just in emotions but also through tangible actions. By giving freedom to these animals, we free ourselves from ignorance and indifference to the suffering of sentient beings. Every act of kindness no matter how small creates ripples of compassion and positive change around the world. This essence lies at the heart of Buddhism – perceiving the world not only with the eyes but also with the heart.
The Significance of Compassion
Like us, every living creature desires security and wants to live happily. The Buddha’s teachings emphasize that all living beings, from tiny insects to giant elephants, share this basic desire. Therefore, whenever we act kindly, such as freeing an animal from harm, we cultivate compassion within ourselves while also benefiting others. This compassionate perspective is not just for humans but extends to all forms of life.
Realize that all life is interconnected and that the suffering of any sentient being impacts the whole. This encourages us to open our hearts more widely and respond more compassionately. Compassion is not limited to us humans; it encompasses every living thing in existence. When we embrace this understanding, our actions will be rooted in a deeper awareness of the shared experiences that bind all living things together.
By practicing compassion in our daily lives, we transform not only the world around us but also our own inner state. Every act of compassion, every moment of empathic understanding, heightens our sensitivity and strengthens our connection to the vibrant stream of life that flows through every living being. Nurturing kindness within ourselves through ethical behavior creates positive changes that radiate outward.
Karma and Merit in Life Release
Life demonstrates the fascinating interaction between Karma and Merit. Karma refers to the consequences we face from our past actions. Merit consists of positive actions that shape our spiritual development.
Imagine a garden where each action plants a seed. Acts of kindness like rescuing an animal will sow seeds of good Karma that will bloom in the future. These acts of compassion will create joy and happiness later on.
However, saving a life is more than just creating good Karma. It also accumulates Merit, nourishing karmic seeds like sunlight and water nourish plants. Merit strengthens positive karmic effects, making them stronger and deeper.
Maybe you will doubt this because in reality there are people who do many good deeds but are still poor and miserable, right! But life is not that simple, it is not limited to just one life. According to Buddhism, our spiritual journey will continue through future reincarnations. The garden of Karma will follow you in your next reincarnations, so good Karma and Merit act as a compass, guiding us towards enlightenment and good rebirths.
So when we save a life, we are not just doing a good deed. We weave a brighter destiny for ourselves, shaping our path in this life and those to come through compassionate understanding and profound spiritual growth.
Ethical Considerations and Mindfulness
If you have the opportunity to visit temples in Asia, you will see many people selling birds, fish, or turtles in front of the temple gates. They are people who do business with the lives of living beings, taking advantage of the compassion of Buddhists to make money and profit.
If you don’t think deeply about this issue, at first glance you might think this is a good move. These business people are helping Buddhists create good karma and accumulate merit. However, according to Buddhism, this goes against the idea of releasing life. They catch the animals, sell them to you so you can release them, then they catch them and lock them in cages.
That is why we need mindfulness and wisdom. Mindfulness is being aware of how your actions affect others. When releasing animals, we should consider where they came from and where they will go next.
As Buddhists, our actions must be consistent with our beliefs. Releasing animals must come from a desire to bring them freedom, not from a greedy desire to accumulate merit.
So the next time you want to pay for the birds that are locked up in front of the temple gates, stop and think first. Are you really helping these creatures? Or could you end up causing more problems? Compassionate action must be accompanied by wisdom, otherwise you are just a kind but stupid Buddhist!
