TVA[Wednesday, April 01, 2007] By Chonyid Zangmo
A two day vegetarian campaign was held in Tashi Jong (Himachal Pradesh) during the annual Tsechu Lama dances. On 1st April, the activists of Tibetan Volunteers for Animals showed a documentary film on vegetarianism and animal rights which was attended by the monks of Phuntsok Chokorling monastery, Khampagar Institute and the Tashi Jong local Community.
Upon arrival in Tashi Jong, the team had an audience with H.E. Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Tashi Jong monastic and lay communities. Because of Ven Rinpoche's blessing and encouragement, there was a very large attendance at the film presentation.
On 2nd April, the full moon day of the second Tibetan month and the final day of the Tsechu celebrations, the TVA team held a photo exhibition and sold T-shirts with the Bodhicitta logo and their annual magazines. As H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche gave a Guru Rinpoche Initiation on this day, there were very many people from Bir, Chauntra and other nearly Tibetan communities present in Tashi Jong, so an impact was made on a maximum number of people.
The main themes of this info campaign are:
1. The promotion of a vegetarian diet to minimize the suffering of animals - all of whom have been our parents in previous lives, to abstain from the non-virtue of killing and inflicting harm on others, and practicing a virtuous lifestyle starting now, in this astrologically difficult year for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
2. The health and environmental benefits of vegetarianism.
3. The social benefits of vegetarianism especially in India, where the majority of the population is Hindu and regards meat-eating as socially, ethically and religiously deplorable.
4. The negative aspects of the fur industry and trade in endangered species.
The TVA team expresses its heartfelt thanks to the Dongyu Gatseling Nunnery, the Tashi Jong Youth group, Ajay of the Friends of Nubgon Monastery Information Center for their technical support, and to Justine and Rekha for their help in putting up posters all around Tashi Jong.