Saving the Cow and Killing the Community: Sri Lanka, animal welfarism and ethnic violence At the launch of his new book, Vegetarianism and Animal Ethics in Contemporary Buddhism, by Dr James Stewart University of Tasmania with an introduction by Christine Milne Former Senator and Leader of the Greens Buddhism is popularly understood to endorse total pacifism towards all creatures. In Sri Lanka, it has encouraged an animal welfare movement that preaches non-violence towards animals. In the name of protecting cows, the halal abolitionist movementhas participated in violence that has led to targeted Muslin businesses and killed Muslims. This talk will explore the tension between Buddhism as a source of peace and its use as an instrument to justify ethnic violence against minority groups. Read more →