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|quote-text=And may the stooping animals be freed | |quote-text=And may the stooping animals be freed | ||
From fear of being preyed upon, each other’s food. (Verse 10.16ab) | From fear of being preyed upon, each other’s food. (''Verse 10.16ab'') | ||
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It is said that the animal realm is generally characterized by ignorance. There are certain exceptional cases where animals show unique mental capabilities, but in general animals lack sophisticated cognitive abilities. Crucially, they are nearly always unaware of any consequence to their actions. They are therefore unable to comprehend what would be necessary to abandon to follow the path to liberation | It is said that the animal realm is generally characterized by ignorance. There are certain exceptional cases where animals show unique mental capabilities, but in general animals lack sophisticated cognitive abilities. Crucially, they are nearly always unaware of any consequence to their actions. They are therefore unable to comprehend what would be necessary to abandon to follow the path to liberation and what actions to take up in service of the path. | ||
Some animals have been born through unusual karmic ripening in situations of great comfort and luxury. But the majority of the wild world is usually prey to uninterrupted suffering. The domesticated animals we see around us, especially the pets of humans, lead lives which are not representative of life in the animal realm. In the wild, most creatures are in constant terror of losing their life. The threat of direct predators is ever-present, and we see with our own eyes how creatures are in a constant state of agitation. They concern themselves only with immediate needs such as food, shelter, and mates. | |||
These days we see also a new and ever-increasing threat of human impact on the natural habitats of the world, with many species being brought closer and closer to extinction. Here Śāntideva encourages us to dedicate all our merit for these helpless beings trapped in their animal existence and particularly from the most direct threat of all, the threat of losing their own life. | |||
<h4>Dedication for the hungry ghosts</h4> | |||
The next verses dedicate merit to the relief of suffering in the hungry ghost, or ''preta'', realm. | |||
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|quote-text=And may the famished spirits have such joy | |||
As those who dwell within the northern continent. (''Verse 10.16cd'') | |||
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It is said that coveting the wealth and possessions of others and being miserly with one’s own is what produces rebirth as a preta. | It is said that coveting the wealth and possessions of others and being miserly with one’s own is what produces rebirth as a preta. | ||
Here, the northern continent (Skt. Uttarakuru) refers to the continent to the north of Mount Sumeru, according to traditional Buddhist cosmology. (Our world, Jambudvīpa, is the southern continent.) The northern continent is said to be a place of great harmony and prosperity. There, life is one of perfect pleasure and the people of gentle and virtuous mind, and therefore no one indulges in the ten negative actions. | Here, the northern continent (Skt. Uttarakuru) refers to the continent to the north of Mount Sumeru, according to traditional Buddhist cosmology. (Our world, Jambudvīpa, is the southern continent.) The northern continent is said to be a place of great harmony and prosperity. There, life is one of perfect pleasure and the people of gentle and virtuous mind, and therefore no one indulges in the ten negative actions. | ||
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