Speech On Animals And Religion

myths, folklore, religion, arts and culture. The oldest visual image of the human fascination, love and reverence for nature in India can be found in the 10,000 years old cave paintings at Bhimbetka in Central India depicting birds, animals and human beings living in harmony. The Indus Valley civilization provides evidence of human interest in wildlife, as seen in depicting images of rhino, elephant, bull, etc. The earliest concern for the wild life law could be traced to 3rd century B.C. when Ashoka, the king of Maghadha, enacted a law in a matter of preservation of wild life and environment. Many animals are considered sacred and worshipped by several Hindu and other communities, and have thus received protection for centuries. The peafowl, …show more content…
Depending upon how they are born, they classify all living beings into three kinds: those who are born from seeds and sprouts, those who are born from eggs and those who are born from womb. The scriptures urge us to treat the animals fairly and, not harm them and not subject them to cruelty and pain. Non-violence towards all, including plants and animals is the highest virtue. Non-violence means not even having the intention to disturb others. Sacrificing animals to appease the deities was a prehistoric tradition which continued in the tradition for long, but as time went by became increasingly uncomfortable with such practices to the extent that it is no more appreciated in Hinduism by all sections of people. The historical attitude of Hindus towards animals can be guessed from the fact that until the arrival of the British into India, the Indian forests were teeming with all kinds of wildlife. It was the British who made hunting a great sport and virtually wiped out the wildlife population from the country. According to various schools of Hinduism, spiritually there is no distinction between human beings and other life forms. All life forms, including plants and animals, are manifestations of God as limited beings (jivas) and possess souls. All beings are children of Prajapati only. There are no exceptions. God is the lord of the animals (pasupati). All humans are also animals until they learn to use their intelligence and overcome their ignorance and delusion. Like humans, animals are also subject to the cycle of births and deaths, karma, triple gunas, aspects of Nature, mortality and the possibility of salvation. All are subject to mortality and food for Death who rules the mortal world. The difference is in terms of