Moreover,we commit to the Five Precepts, which form the foundation of our ethical conduct, including vows to refrain from causing harm, killing, stealing, and taking what is not freely given.

For those on the Mahayana path, this commitment is further deepened by the Bodhisattva Vows, wherein we pledge, with full sincerity, to work tirelessly for the liberation and ultimate happiness of all sentient beings, until not a single one remains bound by suffering.

Given this profound commitment to non-harming, it is no surprise that many Buddhist centers maintain strict policies that prevent harm to animals and insects on their premises. This can take many forms—rescuing stray animals, protecting insects during construction, refraining from stepping on insects, caring for companion animals, or creating habitats for wildlife such as birds and amphibians. While much of people’s ordinary focus is on the visible impact on sentient beings that we can witness and alleviate, there are countless other sentient beings whose lives are impacted daily by our consumer choices.

At DVA, our mission is to inform and educate the global Buddhist community about the lesser-known and hidden realities of animal suffering, particularly in relation to food production in the 21st century. By shedding light on these often unseen truths, we aim to empower our fellow practitioners to make informed, compassionate choices that reduce the suffering of sentient beings.

Each year, over a trillion land and sea animals are raised and killed for food, their suffering largely concealed from the public eye. From the heartbreaking plight of dairy cows and their stolen calves to the mass slaughter of male chicks in the egg industry, the scale of suffering inflicted upon animals is staggering. Yet, these realities are carefully hidden from view, shielded by decades of corporate propaganda, vast marketing campaigns, and the widespread myth of “happy farm animals” or “humane organic animal products.”

In fact, many are led to believe that the systemic suffering of animals is simply an unavoidable necessity for human survival—a belief that soothes our conscience and allows us to continue our consumer habits without question. As a result, the vast majority of people—nearly 8 billion worldwide—remain largely unaware of the true cost of their actions. Hidden in the shadows of industrial agriculture lies an unfathomable toll of destruction and suffering, one that is unparalleled in its scope and magnitude, and yet it is a toll inflicted by human beings upon their fellow sentient beings.