會議地點：越南胡志明市；時間：2009.12.18 - 2010.01.03；大會主題：傑出的女性修行者與典範=Eminent Buddhist Women
摘要
Women in Buddhism have been portrayed in various charitable and compassionate activities and have demonstrated their immense capacity to contribute to the well-being of sentient beings in various fields. Nonetheless, the discussion on the contribution of Buddhist women has been somewhat limited to the human realm. The urgent needs of the world today demands that Buddhist women extend their compassion further and reach out to the animal realm, since animals are increasingly subjected to abuse and cruelty in various parts of the world.
This paper highlights the efforts of a small yet significant group of dedicated lay Buddhist women in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who have come together for a common cause. Their mission is to save stray dogs and cats from certain death resulting from the actions of irresponsible pet owners and the general apathy of an increasingly materialistic urban populace. These women, who have deep faith in the Buddhadharma, are mostly career women and have shown great consistency in conducting independent pet rescue work, despite their busy lives over the last four years. Their compassionate qualities and the various ingenious ways in which they strive to re-home the strays they rescue is certainly worthy of mention in any discussion on socially-engaged Buddhist women.
This paper, accompanied by a short video, has three objectives. First, it highlights the important yet often neglected role that Buddhist women play in animal welfare. Second, it raises awareness about how Buddhist women from all cultural traditions can play a greater role in making the world a better place for our animal friends. And, third, it encourages women to extend their compassion and energies to animals, who are also sentient beings. The video portrays the good work of these independent pet rescuers and highlights the simple yet effective strategies that they have adopted to give a second lease on life to what these women affectionately refer to as “our furkids.”
The challenges and personal battles that these independent pet rescuers have to face in reaching out to these vulnerable beings are included, because they showcase prevailing attitudes among human beings toward their pets and stray animals, and demonstrate precisely why more women should open up their hearts and minds to our animal friends. It is my sincere hope that this paper and video will encourage discussion about the roles Buddhist women can play in animal welfare, adding a new dimension to the existing themes to be addressed at the upcoming Sakyadhita conference.
