Animal Dharma: Wildlife Suffering

How our inertia in dealing with climate change can lead to the extinction of many wildlife species, including our own. Animal Dharma: Examining Suffering in Wildlife Many people have an idealistic view of nature. Some people think that nonhuman animals live in paradise in their natural habitat. However, wild animals living in nature have lives that are far from peaceful, and most of them have to deal with the reality of the constant threat of losing their territories for Human occupation, and at the same time, to partake the enormous suffering that comes from this type of “coexistence.” The word Dharma means path or Divine order. For us, Animal Dharma is supposed to be the “evolutionary program for animals,” and the collection of natural laws they are submitted to.  Scientifically it is known as “Darwin’s Law of Natural Selection.” Buddhists believe that there is also specific dharma (svadharma), or set of laws to be followed according to one’s class, status, and station in life. We believe the same concept applies to other species of nonhumans as well. “Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.” ~ Albert Schweitzer     Others believe that wild animals can cope with their suffering better than domesticated animals. Most of us may accept that nonhuman animals experience suffering, but it may be easy to think that they suffer less than they actually hurt. This, however, is not so. Humans are not a kind species. As neglectful as we humans have been with our environment, one can imagine the desperate entropy efforts that the Marine wildlife must muster to survive an increased polluted ocean, or how migrating species can deal with the creation of Border walls and ever intensifying forest fires? The reality that is staring at our faces show a picture…

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