Building Communities through Veganism with Nitin Mehta MBE, Part 2 of 2

Mr. Mehta also points out that not only helping our fellow humans but also our animal companions is actually helping ourselves. “So, it’s actually very funny but we are doing no favors to animals. We are actually doing favors to ourselves by being compassionate. Because by the law of karma, every action has a reaction. So, human beings cannot say, Oh, this is our planet and we continue enjoying whatever we do and keep exploiting animals, who also are a part of this planet. They have a share of this planet. And when you do that by the law of karma, it will hit you back and it will hit you very badly. So, when you have wars, when you have cyclones, when you have hurricanes, these are ways of God and nature showing that you, human beings, haven’t learnt how to coexist with the other life forms that you share with.”

These are very wise words spoken by Mr. Mehta and echoed time and again by our beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai, who recently expressed great concern over the retribution caused by humans’ killing karma. “Oh, you’ve seen the news that the black hole has made a noodle out of the star. (Yes, Master.) This is a real thing. (Wow.) Because this star has been doing evil deeds. So it’s a punishment. (Wow.) A black hole is hell. (Oh.) It’s a physical, visible hell. (Ooh.) (Yes, Master.) And anyone, any planet, any star, any celestial body, if it has done anything badly, and it accumulates too heavy, too long, then it will go there (Wow.) to receive the retribution.”

In 2008, the Young Indian Vegetarian Society acknowledged Supreme Master Ching Hai's advocacy of vegetarianism all over the world and having a 24-hour TV channel promoting vegetarianism and compassion to animals. They awarded Her the Mahaveer Award with the inscription on the award reading: “Your compassion for all living beings is as deep as the Ocean. You have inspired people all over the world to become Vegetarian and Vegan. Your absolute and deep love for animals is a message to the human race to give up violence and become compassionate. Just as Lord Buddha showed the right path to the human race you are showing the right path so that our planet and future generations can survive in peace. We salute you.” Eleven years later in October 2019, Supreme Master Ching Hai made a donation of US$10,000 to The Young Indian Vegetarians in appreciation of all their noble endeavours. Mr. Mehta was very touched at the thought of being recognized for all the peaceful activism the society does for our world’s precious animals…