“Reply to Lee's post
Thank you Lee for your comments. There are a number of points to pick up on here. Firstly Amida is not an animal rights group, though we would support many of the aims of such groups when they are led by truly compassionate aims. It is also my understanding that there are many animal rights groups that would protest against the practices you make reference to although we are not supporting any who are specifically taking up the issue you highlight at this time.
You also seem to be suggesting that all religions are the same in their views and regard for animals as well as to imply in your message that my condemnation of such treatment of animals would have more influence than if you were to stand behind this conviction yourself, which I am not sure it would. What is clear is that you feel very strongly about this and I applaud your honesty in voicing this issue. Within our Buddhist community we eat an exclusively vegetarian diet and avoid purchasing food from suppliers who contribute to the ill treatment of animals. We are also taking a stand on the matter of animal experimentation as one amongst a number of issues, some relating to animal welfare and some to disadvantaged groups or those subject to prejudice. What I would state clearly is that we certainly would not condone the slaughter of animals at all, whatever the means or the reason. On the other hand I would be unhappy to use the language of condemnation in relation to the practice and faith you single out. That is not to say that I agree with the way animals are treated and the manner in which they are slaughtered to produce Halal meat.
What I would like to ask you Lee is if you are already lobbying on this issue and to whom? If you are I would be interested to find out what ideas you have about how we could enter into a dialogue with those involved, although I do think quite strongly that this should be extended to the meat trade generally. Perhaps you could let me know or would be interested in working with us to begin to influence attitudes towards meat eating both amongst the community of people who eat Halal as well as meat eaters generally. I fear that I have confirmed your expectations in this reply, but nonetheless am grateful for the dialogue and genuinely interested in hearing from you.”

“Why don't any of the animal rights groups protest about halal slaughter ?
If they think that slitting an animal's throat and then letting it die a slow painful death is OK in the name of religion, then they are nothing but hypocrites.Simon Williams, prove that you have true compassion for animals and condemn this barbaric ritual or are you no better than those that do the slaughtering ?Animal cruelty, for whatever reason is wrong and should be stopped but I won't hold my breath because I doubt that you have the true courage of your convictions.Go on prove me wrong, nothing would give me greater pleasure.”

“This is the statement circulated prior to the protest.

PRESS RELEASE - PEACEFUL DEMO AGAINST THE ANIMAL LAB IN LEICESTER
If Amrita Dhammika were alive today she would no doubt be leading the
demonstrations that will be taking place in Leicester over the coming
weeks and months against the new animal lab for the university. Amrita was
a Buddhist minister and this week would have seen her 55th birthday.
Amrita's first concern was always the treatment of animals. Before she
died in Zambia in 2006 from malaria, Amrita established the Tithandizane
Primary Healthcare Project in a remote area of Northern Zambia with few
resources and much ingenuity. The project grew from a half derelict
building with no roof to a new complex of buildings, built with mud bricks
contributed by the villagers themselves that eventually served more than
70 villages with visiting doctors, nurses and educators. Tithandizane
means 'we help each other' and this was Amrita's philosophy. Everyone who
received services was also asked to give something back to their
community, whether by undertaking tasks or by offering produce to support
the clinic. Initially the project ran on a budget of about £500 a year,
and a lot of goodwill, with Amrita and her companions living on the
generosity of local people. Later they were able to attract some funding
to support the building work. Always it involved a 'hands on' attitude to
helping others. Helping each other extended not only to humans but to all
living things.

Even in Zambia, Amrita refused to allow the mistreatment of animals. She
adopted several baboons, rearing them by hand and carrying them around
with her like children whilst they were young. When she went into schools
to teach health education, her baboons would entertain the children with
their antics. She refused to allow the killing of ants in the house where
she lived. She even felt affection for the rat who got into her case and
ate her clothing and spent hours watching the mother rat nurturing and
feeding her young babies.

Amrita, a vegetarian from an early age, honoured all animals that die in
captivity. Her philosophy of respect went beyond the bounds of particular
religion and came from a deep love of life. It is to her memory that we
will dedicate the demonstrations on Wednesday and the coming weeks.

We are a Pureland Buddhist community located in Narborough known as the
Order of Amida Buddha. The Order is devoted to improving conditions in
society and works alongside communities both locally in the UK and in a
number of places across the world.

We hope you will join us on Wednesday 30th June at 4.30 at the clock tower
in Leicester. We will start with a moment of silence and then form a slow
procession to place flowers on the gates to the University of Leicester
biomedical research lab. Please show your compassion to animals by joining
us. This is time to mourn and take pity on all animals who have died and
who are suffering.”