Requesting end to blood shed on the birthday of Buddha, who is the symbol of peace, a statement issued by Animal Welfare Network Nepal (AWNN) said animal sacrifices are common during Buddha Jayanti as different clans on this day celebrate their annual ´kul puja´ or clan deity worship, while in different temples the practice of animal sacrifice continues as usual. [break]
“Sacrifice during Buddha´s birthday makes our rituals controversial and invites international criticism,” Pramada Shah, the coordinator of AWNN, said.
The campaigners have also argued that on Buddha´s birthday alternative sacrifice rituals will be welcomed by Buddhists and Hindus who oppose animal sacrifice.
“We believe that priests and clan committees do not want to hurt the sentiments of their countrymen and fellow clan members,” Shah said.
AWNN earlier this year launched a five-year campaign against blood sacrifices and cruel sports. The network has already requested the army and police to abolish state-funded animal sacrifices.
“Abolishing animal sacrifices and introducing alternative sacrifice rituals using fruits and vegetables will re-establish kul pujas as important, fun and positive,” Mahesh Sharma, the campaign coordinator, said.
According to the campaigners, animal sacrifice harms society as a whole as it signals and normalizes insensitivity in children who can become numb to the sufferings of living beings, and it is also known to influence certain people to commit violence on other humans.
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