The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.111)

TZU CHI 111 25 this incident reminded her of her older brother’s death by similar circumstances, thereby alerting her to prioritize her health above all else. The health scare drove her to the decision to adopt a vegetarian diet and keep her gluttonous desires in check to avoid generating negative karma by consuming livestock and poultry. “Whenever I recited the Ten Precepts of Tzu Chi , I used to skip the Precept declaring ‘Do not kill’. Now that I have committed to vegetarianism, I’m able to recite all the Precepts proudly!” “I hope for reduced suffering for animals and for more people to embrace vegetarianism to protect the Earth. This way, the scale of livestock farming is reduced, and the food resources to be spent on livestock could be directed to feed the starving instead,” wrote 14-year-old Rowan Leong Zhen Nam on his vegetarianism pledge card. After the Buddha bathing ritual, Rowan and his younger sister, Renee Leong Man Leng, folded their palms in sincere prayer before the statue of the Buddha, and deposited their pledge cards in the designated collection area. Rowan’s first step towards vegetarianism started at the age of 8, when he reduced the frequency of his meat consumption to once a month. He was influenced by his mother, who adopted a vegetarian diet in her commitment as a Tzu Chi volunteer. At 9 years old, Rowan resolved to embrace vegetarianism after watching a movie depicting the cruelty of the livestock industry during his time in Tzu Chi’s Parent-child Bonding Class. He noted that self-discipline is key to committing to vegetarianism. Making vegetarianism accessible Venerable Dr Karma Tashi Choedron, Sangha Advisor of the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia, attended the Ceremony for the second time, and was awed by the sophistication of the formation. “Buddhists should cultivate a heart of compassion and refrain from subjecting animals to suffering. Furthermore, the carbon emissions resulting from livestock farming contribute significantly to global warming,” saidVenerable Dr Karma, stressing the importance of the vegetarianism movement before concluding that “A vegetarian diet not only benefits our health, but also reduces negative karma. When suffering is minimal, a more peaceful and harmonious world is possible.” It is hoped that the message of vegetarianism highlighted in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony would inspire all to cultivate a heart of compassion and gratitude, as well as foster a love for the environment. Watch related video: A Triple Celebration of Compassion Rowan Leong Zhen Nam (right) and his younger sister, Renee Leong Man Leng, offered a prayer to the statue of the Buddha with their vegetarianism pledge cards. [Photograph by Lee Kok Keong]