Buddhist monks release 600 pounds of lobster back into the ocean

In Canada un gruppo di monaci buddisti ha acquistato numerose aragoste destinate ad essere mangiate nei ristoranti e le ha liberate.

More than 600 pounds of lobster, destined to be boiled alive, are back to their habitat. A group of monks from the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society, a Buddhist organisation in Prince Edward Island, Canada, has bought 600 pounds (272 kilogrammes) of lobster to release them back into the ocean.

Aragosta nel suo habitat
I monaci hanno comprato le aragoste spendendo 600 sterline, circa 700 euro, in diversi mercati e negozi in giro per l’isola

An act of kindness

“This whole purpose for us is to cultivate this compassion toward others,” said Venerable Dan, a spokesman for the monks. It doesn’t have to be lobsters, it can be worms, flies, any animals. “If your loved ones were in this situation, what would they like you to do? To give them a helping hand and put them back to where they feel comfortable and we believe if everybody’s able to do that, it will become a better place, a more harmonic place.”

Compassion is within everyone’s reach

The monks’ act, indeed, has no religious or food motivations, but it was driven by the respect for life. “We respect everyone’s dietary choice, so we’re not doing this to convert everybody to be vegetarians or vegans,” he added. Before freeing the lobsters, the monks prayed to the Buddha. “There’s no need of doing ceremonies or being Buddhist to practice compassion and be kind to all the living beings we share our planet with,” said Venerable Dan.

Monaci buddisti

Freeing the lobsters far from cages

The lobsters – bought at local markets – have been freed from the laces blocking their claws and released in a stretch of ocean with no cages. “Fishermen actually found us a better place to release lobsters so they won’t be captured again,” said a member of the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society.

Aragosta in vendita
A crustacean sold in a fish market. Lobsters are usually boiled alive

Is buying animals to free the right thing to do?

The noble gesture conceals a contradiction, though. Monks have bought the animals and, in this way, they have fuelled the fishing and selling of lobsters. Monks have thus stimulated a market that uses to price living beings. The solution is probably different, but a similar act could awaken consciences and help see the world with the eyes of a lobster.

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