April 9, 2009
Fish and Monks
A Strange Tale from Prof. John Lock:
The practice of releasing captive animals as a mean to obtain greater karma (or whatever word your version of Buddhism uses) has been a matter of concern from conservationists for some time as it necessitates that the animals be captured first with implications for the welfare of those animals. It also introduces invasive alien species into the environment to compete with the indigenous fauna. Birds, fish and turtles are particularly favoured for this ritual which tends ot take place on Buddha Day/ Vesak Day.  In Eastern Asia there is a thriving trade in captive animals for this purpose. THere are many references to this on the internet but one that recently caught my eye because it illustrates the sort of unexpected conflict of interests that can arise when individual acts of kindness are exposed to the western taste for commodification and economies of scale is at http://www.zhaxizhuoma.net/NEWS/2004-releaseFish.html
An excerpt:
“Reporters will often observe and report on Dharma Assemblies in which captive animals are released. This is especially true with respect to Dharma Assemblies at the ocean shore. This is because the battle that takes place between man and beast is more exciting than watching a Western movie. Buddhist Dharma Teachers and laypersons in this particular group go to the ocean shore at least two or three times a year to release into the ocean many fish that they buy from fishmongers. In the course of time, this release of captive fish has become a custom here in Los Angeles.
“Many fish-eating pelicans, seagulls, and sea lions converge at this shore, waiting for their delicious meal. They do not have to expend energy chasing after one or two small fish, as they usually do. All they have to do is wait beside the fish boat from which fish are released into the ocean. As soon as the fish are released into the water, the pelicans and seagulls rush toward the fish with the speed of an arrow and devour them with all their might. The sea lions are even more voracious. With their large mouths open, they swim toward the numerous fish. The large sack-like mouths of the sea lions devour one group of fish after another, and the fish roll into their stomachs. Birds and sea lions eat about thirty percent of the fish that are released.
“This situation has caused those Buddhists who release the fish to feel anguished. Thus, they have taken many preventive measures. Every time they release fish, there are at least three people who hold high-pressure hoses that they aim at the approaching fish-eating birds and sea lions. They thereby try to drive those birds and sea lions away, but it is of no use. You can still see birds rushing into the spray to kill their prey. Avoiding direct contact with the water from the hoses, they dart toward the group of fish. The sea lions dive under water and approach the fish. Water spouting from the hoses is of no use against them.
“There are also the fierce pelicans. As if to purposefully show their strength, they catch fish by directly rushing toward the ponds of fish on the fish-releasing boat. At this time, you can see people on the boat battling with the birds in order to save the fish. There are intense battles between man and bird. Those people battle with the birds up and down the boat. Those kind Buddhists do not want to harm the birds, but they also want to save the fish. This sight truly makes one sigh with emotion.”
