In Thailand, Many Buddhists like to practice MERCY by Freeing Animals and save them from Certain Death, as a Buddhist Practice to Reduce Bad Karma, and Increase Future Good Fortunes.
There are many ways of merit making in Thailand. Apart from money donation to the temple, school or the local charity origination, making merit by releasing the animals from the confines of a cage, or giving them freedom is typically done.
The original idea is coming from the traditional rural communities. In the dry season, rice fields and small ponds would dry out so the fish become trapped. The villagers save the lives of the fish by releasing them into a nearby canal or river. In other way, it is practiced by buying animals that would be killed such as a cow from the slaughterhouse, and set them free.
Over the times, this animal release in order to make merit tradition is still continuing. When you visit some temples in Thailand, you will see many vendors selling animal such as turtles, fish, eels and birds. They can be purchased and released into the nearby river.
Meanings:
Turtles = To give you a long life, and end sickness and streaks of bad luck
Eels = To help your finance, work and study to be smooth
Birds = To open up new opportunities
Fishes = To change the bad things into the good things
Above all, freeing animals corresponds with NO.1 basic Buddhist precepts �DON�T KILL LIVES�.
Not only trying to avoid killing lives, but we can also make merit by freeing creature lives if we have a chance.
NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF ANIMAL, THE MOST IMPORTANCE IS �our pure mind to give creatures freedom�.
Buddha aside from teaching humans with love, teaching people to love one another, Buddha also teaches humans to love nature, animals, plants and the environment because living beings rely on "nature".
The virtues of Giving Animal Lives:
1. A person with good health, longevity, and a long lasting prestige.
2. Be safe at all times, free from all utilities.
3. Being independent, not being detained. Safe anytime, anywhere
4. They are loved by humans and angels.
5. People enjoy happiness in the world and attain the path of Nirvana easily.
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