Animals in Chinese Religions

By Mark Berkson
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009 03:00 PM
Duration: 45 minutes
Target audience: Any

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This talk will explore attitudes toward non-human animals in Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist thought in China. The differences between the indigenous Chinese religions of Confucianism and Daoism in regard to animals will be examined first, and then the transformation of Chinese religion by Indian Buddhism will be discussed. The talk will be practical as well as philosophical, as we will look at how these traditions can provide perspectives and resources that we can use in contemporary America to transform people's attitudes toward animals and motivate people to compassionate action. We will see the way that ancient texts from another culture can be both relevant and inspirational to the struggle for animal welfare today.

Attended by:

• Suzy Sorensen
• mindy g
• Kedar Deshpande
• Kaye Beiswanger
• Dave Rolsky