The country of Bhutan is one of the great Buddhist countries of the world, its commitment to the teachings of the Buddha stated explicitly in its Constitution. “Buddhism is the spiritual heritage of Bhutan, which promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance.”

Despite this declaration of adherence to the Dharma, last year (2015) the Bhutan government began plans to development 11 mega-meat processing projects throughout the country.  These projects include fishery ponds, slaughterhouses, piggeries, poultry farms and more.  The purpose of these projects is to make the country self-sufficient in meat and help keep Bhutan currency within the country.

Shortly after these plans were announced, the Zhung Dratshang (central monastic body) of Bhutan submitted a petition to the prime minister requesting that these projects be halted.  The petition emphasized the Buddhist teaching of not killing and pointed out how the planned slaughter of animals directly violated this fundamental principle and would cause tremendous suffering.

Unfortunately, the petition failed to achieve its objective, and the projects are moving forward.  Despite the lack of success so far, DVA is hoping that a renewed effort will lead the king and the Bhutan government to reconsider their decision.  We ask that you join us by signing this petition and encouraging the leaders of Bhutan to abide by their constitution and act with the compassion and wisdom of the Buddha.

Dharma Voices for Animals is a non-profit organization based in the United States of America whose mission is to increase awareness of the suffering of animals within the Buddhist Dharma community.  Among our worldwide membership are many well-known Dharma teachers: Tibetan monk Geshe Thupten Phelgye, who served ten years in the Tibetan Parliament in Exile and considers his Holiness the Dalai Lama as his teacher; Kamala Lama, the wife of the late Chatral Rinpoche (who was himself a member of Dharma Voices for Animals); England’s Ven. Gelong Ngedon Drime;  the Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Vice President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists; and the Venerable Tashi Nyima, the former Executive Director for Health, Policy, and Planning, Latin American Institute, in the United States.

This petition addresses the recent initiative by the Bhutan government to establish mega-meat processing projects in the country.  We understand that the goal of the meat processing projects is to lessen imports of meat from outside Bhutan and to develop Bhutan’s economy and trade exports.  We believe, however, that if you look deeply at these mega-meat processing projects, you will see that they will bring harm to Bhutan.

The proposed mega-meat processing projects will collectively harm the people of Bhutan.  First and foremost, they are at odds with Bhutan’s stature as one of the world’s foremost Buddhist nations.  This commitment to the Buddhist teachings is codified in the Bhutan Constitution itself, which states, “Buddhism is the spiritual heritage of Bhutan, which promotes the principles and values of peace, non-violence, compassion and tolerance.” (Article 3, section 1.)

The negative karmic consequences inherent in the business of animal agriculture are profound.  The misery and suffering inflicted on the animals is unfathomable, and these projects clearly violate the First Precept of not killing, which includes animals as well as humans.  The suffering caused by animal agriculture is the reason that the Buddha listed trading in animals as one of five occupations that are not Right Livelihood.  These projects may also have the consequence of encouraging the eating of animal flesh, thus creating more negative karma and suffering.

In addition, the proposed mega-meat processing projects will harm the environment, both globally and also locally in Bhutan.  It is scientifically established that animal agriculture is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gasses and contributors to global warming.  Globally, animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of all global greenhouse gas emissions—and this is a conservative number.  Even without fossil fuels, we will exceed our 565 Gigatonne CO2 limit by 2030, all from animal agriculture, and emissions from animal agriculture are estimated to increase by 80% by 2050!  Furthermore, animal agriculture uses a significant amount of water, 20-33% of all fresh water consumption in the world today.  Livestock and crops for livestock feed use 1/3 of all ice-free land on this planet.  Animal agriculture is also the leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution, and habitat destruction.   It is also the leading cause of global deforestation.  The projects exacerbate this problem.  For example, we understand that forests have already been cleared for an 800 acre farm in the village of Samrang.

If the mega-meat processing projects encourage the people of Bhutan to eat more meat, this will also cause the additional suffering that accompanies the diseases of the Western countries: heart disease, cancers and diabetes, to name but a few. These diseases are high in health care costs, which will become an additional expense to the government of Bhutan.

We believe that if you look deeply, you will see that this project will bring more harm than good to Bhutan—especially to the people and to the environment.  There are surely better ways to help the Bhutanese economy that will not create this profound negativity, animal suffering, human disease, and ecological destruction.  We feel that the present course of promoting the mega-meat processing facilities is leading the Bhutanese people in the wrong direction.  This is why the Zhung Dratshang also has submitted a petition requesting the government to stop the mega-meat processing projects.  In considering the present petition, we ask you to please revisit the profound words of that august body.

With this in mind, we the undersigned respectfully request that the Bhutan government immediately terminate its plans to establish the planned mega-meat processing projects.  The international community looks to Bhutan as an example of what a society can look like when guided by Buddhist values and the Mahayana principles of working for the welfare of all sentient beings.  The world has been inspired by the development of Gross National Happiness.  As you reconsider this project and look for virtuous alternatives, know that our prayers and support will be with you.