This article is taken from the Introduction to The Great Compassion by Norm Phelps (Lantern Books, 2004). Buddhism ought to be an animal rights religion par excellence. It teaches the unity of all life; it holds kindness and compassion to be the highest virtues; and it explicitly includes animals in its moral universe. Buddhist rules of conduct – including the First Precept, “Do not kill” … Continue reading Introduction to The Great Compassion

by Bob Isaacson and Norm Phelps  The following unabridged article by DVA President Bob Isaacson and DVA contributor Norm Phelps was published in an abridged form in the Fall, 2011 edition of The Inquiring Mind. Both the Theravada and Mahayana traditions teach the development of two qualities that are essential to the spiritual path. The first is panna, the wisdom that sees through the illusions … Continue reading On the Boddhisattva path I stopped off for a burger

By Will Tuttle, Ph.D. This piece is adapted by Dr. Will Tuttle himself from his best-selling book, The World Peace Diet. Dr. Tuttle, a member and contributor to Dharma Voices for Animals, is an educator, musician, former Zen monk, and co-founder of the Prayer Circle for Animals. Meditation is foundational to the Buddhist teachings, and is not seen as an exotic or specific activity, but as … Continue reading Samadhi and Shojin