Uniting Buddhist Principles with a Better World for Animals
Compassion for all beings lies at the heart of Buddhist teachings. Yet, for some Buddhists, embracing a life of non-harm, including a shift from animal products, can be a challenge. We’re here to guide communities toward a kinder, more compassionate path that aligns with the Buddha’s teachings.
WHO WE ARE
We are the only global Buddhist animal advocacy group - and thanks to people like you, we’ve been making strides in reducing harm to animals.
Our mission is to bridge the gap between Buddhist teachings and compassionate living, empowering Buddhists to align their actions with their beliefs. While it may not be an easy path, it’s exactly what the Buddha encouraged—to question our everyday choices, reflect, and choose the path that truly aligns with compassion.
WHAT WE DO
We empower Buddhist communities to live compassionately, in alignment with their values.
Raising Awareness: We educate Buddhist communities on animal suffering caused by their everyday choices and practices, and we do so through temple talks, film screenings, and public events.
Providing Guidance: We offer plant-based cooking classes, health guidance, and resources to help monks, nuns, and lay Buddhists live cruelty-free.
Advocating for Change: We work with Dharma centers to adopt plant-based policies, advocate for animal welfare laws, and secure temple commitments.
Growing Leaders: We train Buddhists to lead change within their communities.
OUR PROJECTS
Across Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States, our projects help Buddhist communities embrace plant-based living.
Sri Lanka: We engage Buddhist schools and temples with plant-based teachings and advocate for legislative change.
Thailand: We partner with influential temples and guide monks, nuns, and other dedicated practitioners toward compassionate choices.
Vietnam: We host plant-based events, film screenings at pagodas, and lead cooking classes.
U.S.: We support centers in offering plant-based meals at retreats, train a new generation of Buddhist animal advocates and educate the public.
Each of the projects builds upon a movement grounded in kindness, making it easier for compassionate people like you to align their everyday choices with their values.
“All beings fear danger, life is dear to all. When a person considers this, he does not kill or cause to kill.”
B U D D H A in the Dhammapada
Every last Sunday of the Month
at 9am U.S. Pacific Time
Join our Online Mindfulness & Meditation Sangha
Meditate, learn, and cultivate compassion with like-minded people who care about animals and our planet.
Here’s how you can live more kindly
and cruelty-free everyday.
We’ve gathered resources to help compassionate people like you embrace the Buddha’s teachings on kindness and respect for all sentient beings. Before you dive in to study all of our wonderful resources, here are a couple of easy things you could try today:
Swap out cow’s milk for oat, soy, hemp, almond or other plant-based ‘milks’.
Walk the supermarket isles and explore vegan and plant-based products you have never tried before. Don’t be shy!
Get creative in the kitchen with beans, legumes and tofu - three fantastic sources of protein!
Contemplate the life of an animal in a factory farm with an open heart of compassion during your mindfulness practice.
Find a new favorite vegan cook, author, activist, or social media account to follow - there are thousands!
Order or lend out a book on animal welfare, Buddhist ethics, or vegan cooking to learn more about it.
Invite a friend or family member to watch a documentary with you - we have lists of good ones under our resources!
Download apps like CrueltyCutter and LeapingBunny to help you buy cruelty free household and cosmetic products that are not tested on animals.
Challenge yourself to a vegan month like Veganuary - and continue your journey from there!
Explore our many resources in our DVA Deep Dives under our Education section to learn all about animal welfare, the environment and buddhist teachings on compassion, to discover what YOU can do to alleviate the suffering of sentient beings and bring about a more compassionate world.
Which action will you take today?
Dedicate your time to animals. Be their voice, and let your actions reflect your values.
Your financial support helps bring compassion to those whose suffering often goes unnoticed.
Watch our movie Animals and the Buddha
The documentary, produced by award-winning filmmaker Keegan Kuhn—known for Cowspiracy, They’re Trying to Kill Us, and What the Health—features world-renowned monastics and lay teachers focusing on the relationship between Buddhism and not eating animals. Watch the film to learn more about the Buddha’s teachings on compassion for all beings!
See what we’ve been up to!
Explore recent updates — new steps on our path, team insights, project launches, guest essays, and more on the compassionate work guiding our mission.
