Now for a tasty bit of meat, you think, Cooked with fragrant spices... But for us that means terror and unbearable agony As you wrench the dear life from our dear bodies In an inferno of flames. Think about it for a moment: in reality, you are cooking us alive. You are utterly terrified of the war with Iraq You are scared it's going to be a Third World War It's true, it's very frightening- But we are tormented always by even greater fear. Alas! Wise humans, listen to us for a moment: If really you are ravaged by famine and starvation And tortured by poverty, without even a stitch of clothing, Then- though to us our lives are as precious as yours are to you - We gladly offer you our bodies and our lives. But if not, through kindness and love, grant us just this: The freedom to live in peace In places free form unceasing fear. May the thought of peace effortlessly take birth In the minds of all living creatures Below, upon and above the Earth So that the dawn of peace breaks forth. May all viciousness and aggression be pacified And vanish of their own accord. Since all creatures without exception, great or small, Want only to be happy and not to suffer, May they have compassion and kindness, the source of happiness May they be free from aggression and cruelty, the source of suffering. Sincerely yours, Lobster, Snail, Frog, Sheep, Cow.... and P.W.
Originally published in 1991 in the booklet Food for Thought by the Padmakara Translation Group (PTG), an offering to commemorate the visit of H.H. Dalai Lama to France, August 1991. Tulku Pema Wangyal is the first son of the Riméd Dzogchen master Kangyur Rinpoche (1893-1974). Tulku Pema is the main resident master of the 3 year Nyingmapa retreats in Dordogne, France, leader of the Chanteloube Buddhist Association and founder of the Padmakara Translation Group, which translated Shabkar's Food of Boddhisattvas. Pema Wangyal is vegetarian and advocate of non-violence, especially toward animals. |
