In short: the Buddha taught kindness to every living creature, because all beings, like us, fear pain and death: "All tremble at the rod, all fear death. Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill." (Dhammapada 129). The first precept is to refrain from killing, and loving-kindness is meant for all beings, "the footless creatures, the two-footed… the four-footed" (AN 4.67).
All fear death
"All tremble at the rod, all fear death. Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill."
"All tremble at the rod, all love life. Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill."
Dhammapada 129–130
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Love for every kind of creature
"I love the footless creatures, the two-footed I love, I love the four-footed, the many-footed I love."
AN 4.67 · The protection chant: Khandha Paritta.
The first precept
The first of the five precepts is to refrain from killing living creatures. The Buddha called keeping it a gift: "they give to countless sentient beings the gift of freedom from fear". (The precepts as gifts)
Simple ways to practice
- Carry the spider out instead of killing it.
- Include animals in your loving-kindness: "May all creatures, footless, two-footed and four-footed, be safe."
- Be kind to the animals in your care, and to wild ones near you.
- Eat consciously: whatever you decide, decide with awareness.
Try it
A 3-minute kindness practice that includes all beings: Practice → Kindness. Or "May all beings be happy".
Questions people ask
What does Buddhism teach about animals?
That animals, like us, fear pain and death: 'All tremble at the rod, all fear death. Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill' (Dhammapada 129). The first precept is to refrain from killing living beings.
Do Buddhists have to be vegetarian?
In the Theravāda tradition vegetarianism isn't required, though many Buddhists choose it. The first precept is about not killing; buying meat is a matter of personal conscience.