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Feedback
One Year After the Launch of Shabkar.Org
By André
Kalden
Dear visitor
of this website,
Shabkar.Org
has received quite a bit of feedback since its official launch in
November 2006. There were many warm and encouraging comments from
a wide range of Buddhist schools and sanghas expressing appreciation
for the work and sending good wishes. In some cases there were critiques
and helpful comments that I very much appreciated. Other feedback
indicated that the website was being used as a vehicle to criticize
others. Based on this latter feedback, I would like to share some
reflections that clarify the purpose of this website.
Many (Western)
vegan and vegetarian practitioners do not understand why their fellow
(Asian) sangha members eat meat while having easy access to vegetarian
food, especially when it is a Dharma teacher. However, I believe
that saying that meat-eating sangha members are not "real Buddhists"
is not in accord with the Buddhist teachings. Entering the Middle
Way does not require being a vegan or vegetarian, whether somebody
is happy with this fact or not.
Some people have kind hearts, some have wisdom or are good meditators,
and some are vegetarian. Only a few embody all perfections. There
are many ways to climb the mountain, and some practitioners on a
so-called advanced level still eat meat. Shabkar Tsodruk Rangdrol
(1781-1851), the great Tibetan yogi who espoused the ideals of vegetarianism
and from whom this websites takes its name, had meat-eating students.
Additionally, strong advocates of vegetarianism in our century,
like Chatral Rinpoche (1913- ), have students who eat meat while
their Lama is aware of this and he feels that in their case, it
not an issue to be raised in a personal way. Buddhist teachers can
be motivated by the urge to be a bridge in the sangha in body, mind
and speech regarding some issues, and a bridge is not a bridge when
it is connected with just one shore.
So while
taking notice of the content of this website, please bear in mind
that Shabkar.Org is meant to be an inspiration for putting loving-kindness
into action towards those who cannot speak, our fellow sentient
beings we call animals. If at the same time we don't show loving-kindness
towards our fellow sentient beings, the meat-eating sangha members,
then what is the point one wants to make? Buddhism is the Middle
Way indeed.
If you are a Buddhist visitor from Asia I want to ask for your kind
understanding that this website is created by a guy from Holland,
me, brought up in an environment where raising issues in a rather
straightforward and upfront way is common and OK. This also counts
for those who create videos and animations, some of which can be
found on Shabkar.Org. By no means is there any aggression involved
in the making of this website, but rather a desire for genuine engagement.
If you feel it to be otherwise, please send me your
feedback, because I consider it to be very important that the
approach to raising awareness about the benefits of not eating meat
should be free of aggression, indeed.
Last but not least, regarding the content
of this website, please let me quote the Kalama Sutra (Anguttara-Nikaya)
where it is written that the Buddha says:
"Do not go by revelation; do not go by tradition; do not
go by hearsay; do not go on the authority of sacred texts; do not
go on the grounds of pure logic; do not go by a view that seems
rational; do not go by reflecting on mere appearances; do not go
along with a considered view because you agree with it; do not go
along on the grounds that the person is competent; do not go along
because [thinking] 'the recluse is our teacher'. Kalamas, when you
yourselves know: 'These things are unwholesome, these things are
blameworthy; these things are censured by the wise; and when undertaken
and observed, these things lead to harm and ill, abandon them...Kalamas,
when you know for yourselves: These are wholesome; these things
are not blameworthy; these things are praised by the wise; undertaken
and observed, these things lead to benefit and happiness, having
undertaken them, abide in them."
It goes without saying that this indeed applies also to the texts
on this website.
By writing the
above words I hope that Shabkar.Org will continue to serve the purpose
of its creation as expressed on the homepage.
And please, do not hesitate to send
an e-mail with suggestions for improvement, sources on vegeterianism
and Buddhism, quotes, or any other feedback or input you may have.
Kind regards,
André
Kalden
Shabkar.Org
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