Mercy-less Release

Eeyi Oon ❁ Sumita Thiagarajan

The Impact of Vesak Day

Release and Related Policy in

Singapore

Overview

• Background information on Buddhism

• Current situation

• Alternative Policies

• Conclusion

Background

• Buddhism and the concept of Karma

• Vesak day

old tradition dating back to 1880s

celebrate life, death and enlightenment of

Buddha

• Origin of Mercy release

Tiantai Master Chiyi (538A.D.)

Introduction

• Vesak day

• Mercy release

Change, irony and interpretation

24th May 2015 The Straits Times

Total Ecology

Biophysical

Institutional

Human

Animal welfare issues

Demand fuels poaching and illegal trade

Disruption of ecological balance

Possible introduction and transmission of

diseases to native species (e.g.

Chytridiomycosis)

Reduce water quality of reservoirs and

waterways

Contradiction of the practice

Not all that practice fangsheng are

Buddhists

Human-wildlife conflict

Focus on “Bread and butter” issues

Parks and Trees Act

Animals and Birds Act

Current laws and policies

• Parks and Trees Act

• Animals and Birds Act

It is illegal to release animals into

nature reserves, parks and

reservoirs{{Pet abandonment is illegal

Operation No Release

• Volunteer programme

• 19 locations; major parks and reservoirs

• Covers reservoirs water quality

Alternative policies

• Capturing and culling of invasive species

• Intercepting wildlife trade

• Awareness

• Alternative release practices

Capturing and Culling Invasive Species

• Organizing competitions to capture invasive

species

• Legalizing consumption

Capturing and Culling Invasive Species

Potential Concerns

• Ethical – ahimsa

• Economic -

“perverse interest”

Advantages

• Efficient - clear

improvement

• Environmental -

deals with current

invasives

Intercepting wildlife trade

• Internationally - risk assessment targeting

invasives - limit trade

• Locally - requirements for pet ownership

• What about wet markets?

• Economic tradeoff

Awareness

• Operation No

Release (current)

• Publishing in the

Straits Times and

online

• Effective?

Alternative release practices

• Balancing tradition and ritual with ecology

• Suggestions:

– Donating money to charity

– Reducing meat intake

– Pairing with wildlife sanctuaries to release

native species

• New traditions

Conclusion

• Need more data

• Connection with larger issues

– Pet abandonment

– Illegal wildlife trade

– Government interaction with religion

Thank you!

Lower Pierce

Reservoir