People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has released an ad featuring a Thich Nhat Hanh teaching:

I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world.

We’ve run stories about animal rights in the past and have had lively discussion about the ethics of pet euthanasia, but it’s not often that we’ve addressed strict veganism. Sam Mowe (you may know him on Twitter as “Tricycle Sam”) has written about it here, though, and it always inspires debate—healthy debate. Take a look here.

Thay, as Thich Nhat Hanh is called by his students, is known for his veganism and his commitment to radical nonviolence, an approach he urges us to adopt toward all sentient beings.

Here’s the full text of the ad that follows Thay’s teaching:

Nonviolence includes all beings.

Farmed animals feel pain and fear just like the animals we share our homes with, yet they are abused in ways that would be illegal if dogs and cats were the victims. In today’s meat industry, chickens and turkeys have their throats slit while still conscious, piglets have their tails and testicles cut off without painkillers, and fish are suffocated or cut open while still alive. Nothing could be further form the virtue of loving-kindness.

A peaceful world begins on our plates.

According to Matt Freeman, PETA’s media placement coordinator, Thay gave full permission to use his teaching.

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