Buddhism and animals
 

Buddhism requires us to treat animals kindly. Buddhists try to do no harm (or as little harm as possible) to animals. Buddhists try to show loving-kindness to all beings, including animals. The doctrine of right livelihood teaches Buddhists to avoid any work connected with the killing of animals.

The doctrine of karma teaches that any wrong behaviour will have to be paid for in a future life - so cruel acts to animals should be avoided. Buddhists treat the lives of human and non-human animals with equal respect.

Buddhists see human and non-human animals as closely related. Both have Buddha-nature, both have the possibility of becoming perfectly enlightened. A soul may be reborn either in a human body or in the body of a non-human animal.

Buddhist behaviour towards and thinking about animals is not always positive. The doctrine of karma implies that souls are reborn as animals because of past misdeeds. Being reborn as an animal is a serious spiritual setback.