From wikipedia:
Ahimsa (Devanagari: अहिंसा; IAST ahiṃsā) is a Sanskrit term meaning to do no harm (literally: the avoidance of violence - himsa).
I see this word so often, especially in my Buddhist practice.
I was thinking on this word since the last blog I posted about using reclaimed wool. Reclaimed wool is not hurting sheep, but I wonder if my use of reclaimed wool perpetuates the wool markets which must gather the virgin wool from my sheep friends.
As an environmental crafter (and I left out Vegan because it is necessary that we reclaim fibers in the hopes that we offset newly created ones, cradle to cradle in practice MUST include non Vegans) I am left baffled. I know there are vegans that use leather, and other animal fibers, in the form of buying used items. Would using these items then selling them for profit hurt or help? I am in no way financially able to replace every last item I own with a vegan version, nor is that environmentally sound.
OMG, what do I do?
Does anyone else have issues with this?
Please respond...
1 comments:
Peace Queen
I try to avoid purchasing anything made with animal products but I can see how upcycling old products is a positive move environmentally. My shoes are currently either canvas or made of man-made materials (you can find them anywhere- not just specialty sites that exploit vegan pockets), but I was given a wool coat as a gift and did wear it this winter to fend off the cold (some would disagree with my decision I'm sure).
I think at the least vegans can pledge to avoid investing their coinage in animal-products as much as possible, especially those that involve cruelty.
If you're of the school of thought that believes the body is connected to the mind and soul, the flesh of animals should be put to rest in the Earth wherever possible out of respect, but there's an adjustment period the world will go through before cruelty-free practices become very organized, clear, and pragmatic.
The sooner 'green' and 'vegan' have a more wide-spread association, the sooner the minds of the masses will go to work to define the best ways to be ecologically responsible while also being cruelty-free (which in my mind are two inseparable things).
Love&Light
-PurpleZoe
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