In Theory

The claims of the lower animals to human compassion and consideration as living, sentient beings are writ large in Hebrew Biblical thought. The ancient rabbis tell how Moses, while a shepherd of Jethro’s flocks, seeks out a stray lamb and tenderly carries the tired creature in his arms back to the fold.

God then announces to Moses, “You are worthy to be My people’s shepherd.”

The Fourth Commandment stipulates the right of animals to rest on the Sabbath. Animals of unequal strength must not be hitched together, lest the weaker animal suffer. The ox must not be muzzled while threshing, but must be free to eat of the corn while working, as the human laborer is permitted to do.

Hunting for sport is forbidden. The rabbis taught that before one partakes of a meal, he must make sure that his animals are fed.

Man’s obligation not to inflict cruelty and unnecessary pain upon animals is rooted in the recognition that they represent the handiwork of the Creator. Until the 19th century, cruelty to animals was nowhere illegal except in Jewish law.

Rabbi Mark Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach

Most people disapprove of the sort of cruelty to animals that is obvious in dogfighting.

I think the massive abuse of animals in our society’s food production can go on only because people are unaware of it. I recommend two films, “Food, Inc.” and “King Corn,” for a behind-the-scenes look at the disgusting process by which chicken and beef arrive on our tables.

In the Zen Buddhist tradition, animals, as well as other people and inanimate objects, are all treated with care because they are experienced as “self.” This may be made clearer by analogy: In rowing a boat, we tend to identify ourselves only as the person pulling on the oars.

But from a Zen perspective, the rower is also the water, the wind, the boat and other passengers. Feeling alienated from nature, rather than intimately a part of it, is threatening our survival.

The Zen Center of Orange County is a vegan organization, although not all of our individual practitioners are necessarily vegan or vegetarian. We view food, animal or plant, as a gift or an offering to be received with gratitude.

Compassionate treatment of animals is natural.

The Rev. Dr. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa