Buddhism is a religion that tells us to be compassionate and sympathetic to all living things and that includes animals as well.
Animals like humans are sentient creatures that can feel pleasure, pain, grief and suffering.
Quotes and stories about animals are often used in Buddhist teachings to remind us of the importance of treating them with love and respect.
In this article we’ll have a look at some of the most heartfelt and inspirational Buddhist quotes about animals.
Top 5 Buddhist Quotes on Animals
Harm no other beings. They are just your brothers and sisters. ~ Gautama Buddha.
Besides the respect of the lives of human beings, all the animals and plants should be on the list too. That is the real humanitarianism. ~ Gautama Buddha.
May all that have life be delivered from suffering. ~ Gautama Buddha.
Mankind have love, animals have affection. The harmonious and beautiful world is revealed. ~ Gautama Buddha.
He who is kind to animals, heaven will protect. ~ Gautama Buddha.
Also Read: 50 Buddha Quotes on Life That Will Change Your Mind and 57 Buddhist Quotes on Life, Love and Happiness
Famous Buddhist Quotes on Animals
Every individual who eats flesh food, whether an animal is killed expressly for him or not, is supporting the trade of slaughtering and contributing to the violent deaths of harmless animals. ~ Roshi Philip Kapleau.
It is more important to prevent animal suffering, rather than sit to contemplate the evils of the universe praying in the company of priests. ~ Gautama Buddha.
Mind precedes all phenomena, mind matters most, everything is mind-made. If with an impure mind, you speak or act, then suffering follows you as the cartwheel follows the foot of the draft animal. If with a pure mind, you speak or act, then happiness follows you as a shadow that never departs. ~ Gautama Buddha.
I do not see any reason why animals should be slaughtered to serve as human diet when there are so many substitutes. After all, man can live without meat. ~ Dalai Lama.
When a man has pity on all living creatures then only is he noble. ~ Gautama Buddha.
And so, with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings. ~ Gautama Buddha.
People who eat meat often make the excuse that it is natural to do so, that people were meant to eat meat. They promote this idea, and then freely indulge in taking the lives of their fellow creatures, thereby creating extensive hatred and enmity-karma. ~ Lianchi Zhuhung.
Best Buddhist Quotes on Animals
If a man can control his body and mind and thereby refrains from eating animal flesh and wearing animal products, I say he will really be liberated. ~ Gautama Buddha.
The beginning of mindful eating is the realization that eating meat is not about the meat-eater; it is about the animals who are tormented and killed. ~ Norm Phelps.
Meat-eating is condemned by the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Sravakas; if one devours meat out of shamelessness he will always be devoid of sense. ~ Buddha.
Kill and eat is not a Buddhist principle. ~ Senaka Weeraratna.
Killing animals for sport, for pleasure, for adventures, and for hides and furs is a phenomenon which is at once disgusting and distressing. There is no justification in indulging in such acts of brutality. ~ Dalai Lama.
So these were the 20 popular Buddhist quotes about animals.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other popular blog posts on the topics of Praying for You quotes and He is Risen quotes.
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