Significance of Animal sacrifice
Synonyms: Animal offering, Ritual sacrifice, Sacrificial animal, Blood sacrifice, Blood offering, Ritual slaughter, Sacrificial rite, Immolation
In Dutch: Dierlijke offers; In Finnish: Eläinten uhraus; In Spanish: Sacrificio de animales; In German: Tieropfer; In Swedish: Djuroffer; In Malay: Pengorbanan haiwan; In French: Sacrifice animal; In Italian: Sacrificio animale; In Portugese: Sacrifício animal; In Polish: Ofiara ze zwierząt; In Portugese: Sacrifício de animais; In Dutch: Dieroffer
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Animal sacrifice'
Animal sacrifice in Buddhism is a practice criticized for its unwholesome actions and misguided beliefs. It is seen as an evil path, often associated with nat worship, and is denounced by Buddhist teachings. It includes ritual killings and appeasing deities, which the Buddha opposed.
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Animal sacrifice was planned by King Kosala based on the interpretation of his dreams by brahmins, but it was averted by Queen Mallika's intervention.[1] (2) A practice critiqued in the text, illustrating the moral transformation expected of individuals when they encounter Buddhist teachings.[2] (3) A barbaric practice that King Pasenadi considered due to misinterpretation of his dreams, which was prevented by Queen Mallika's intervention.[3]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) A practice often associated with nat worship, indicative of misguided beliefs that may result in suffering and attachment.[4] (2) Ritualistic killings performed for favorable outcomes, which are ultimately deemed as unwholesome actions.[5] (3) The act of killing animals as part of rituals intended to appease deities or stave off misfortune.[6]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The Great Being used the example of killing a monkey to challenge the beliefs of the councillors about cause and action.[7] (2) The ritual practice advised by the brahmins to avert the evils foretold by the dreams, which was ultimately denounced by the Bodhisatta.[8]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Animal-sacrifice is cited as an example of an evil path of action that leads to damnation.[9]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) A practice among brahmins involving the offering of cattle and sheep, viewed critically in the context of Buddhist teachings.[10]
Hindu concept of 'Animal sacrifice'
Animal sacrifice in Hinduism is a ritual offering of animals to deities, often performed according to specific rules and texts. This practice, known as bali, can involve the ceremonial slaughter of animals for various purposes, including invoking blessings, fulfilling duties, and seeking supernatural favors. While historically significant, some traditions have opposed it.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The act of killing animals during religious ceremonies, justified as a means to promote global well-being and prosperity.[11] (2) These are compulsory rituals that occur on a six-monthly and yearly basis, as specified in the provided text.[12] (3) The practice of killing animals in religious rituals that, according to the text, is framed as beneficial for the animals rather than an act of harm.[13] (4) A ritual practice involving the offering of animals to the gods, particularly significant in context of the discussed text.[14] (5) The act of killing animals during sacrifices that is called into question regarding the moral implications for a friendly and benevolent Brahmana.[15]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) A formalized sacrificial rite that should be completed in the established manner.[16] (2) A ritual that involves making offerings in a manner similar to the Samishtayajus-offering, typically involving the vajina.[17] (3) A ritualistic offering involving the recitation of formulas and specific actions related to the offering of clarified butter on an Ahavaniya fire.[18] (4) An alternative form of sacrifice performed when one is not capable of performing a Soma-sacrifice.[19] (5) A Vedic ritual involving the offering of an animal to deities, usually performed with specific rites and timings.[20]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) The ritualistic offering of animals, often involving specific prohibitions on their condition.[21] (2) The ritual act of offering an animal to deities as part of a Vedic ceremony.[22] (3) One of the specific types of sacrificial rites that involve offerings made with animals.[23] (4) A practice performed as part of religious rites, historically significant in various Hindu customs.[24] (5) Sacrificial acts involving the offering of animals to appease deities, often performed with specific rituals.[25]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) The ritualistic killing of an animal as part of a religious observance.[26] (2) The ceremonial offering of an animal as part of the penance process for breaking the vow of chastity.[27] (3) The act of killing an animal as part of a ritual to appease deities.[28]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A ritual involving the sacrifice of an animal, intended to please deities or spirits.[29] (2) A ceremonial practice in which an animal is killed in accordance with specific rituals and offerings are made.[30] (3) A ritual act of offering an animal as a sacrifice, which involves specific preparations and ceremonial acts.[31]
From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra
(1) Ritualistic offerings of animals made to appease the Fathers or deities, often including specific verses.[32]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Animal sacrifices are referred to as Agnishomiya and are completed before a specific ritual with water.[33] (2) A sacrificial ritual involving the offering of animals to deities.[34] (3) A practice involving the offering of animals in rituals, aimed at appeasing gods and seeking blessings.[35] (4) The offering of an animal, which is conducted as part of a ritual to secure blessings and transfer the sacrificial essence.[36] (5) Ritual offerings of animals performed during various seasons as part of the overall sacrificial worship in the subsequent year.[37]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The text questions the worship of his maker in animal-sacrifices involving cruelty, indicating a preference for alternative forms of devotion.[38] (2) A ritual involving the slaying of animals, often criticized for its cruelty and ethical implications.[39]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Ritualistic offerings of animals, such as horses, performed in ancient Vedic sacrifices aimed at securing divine blessings.[40]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Ritualistic offerings involving the slaughter of animals that were rejected by the new belief systems introduced to the Daityas.[41]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) A ritual where an animal is taught for the first time as the means of sacrifice, and it is considered subsidiary to the act of sacrifice, which makes the singular number significant.[42] (2) The agnishomiya animal sacrifice is mentioned in relation to the principle of prasanga, where prayaja and anuyaja offerings, taught as subsidiary to the animal sacrifice, also serve as subsidiary to the cake-offering, according to the text.[43]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The act of sacrificing various animals as part of the ashvamedha, essential to its ceremonial completion.[44]
From: Harsha-charita
(1) Rituals involving the offering of animals to deities as a form of worship and appeasement.[45]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) A ritual act involving the sacrifice of an animal, performed to invoke supernatural results or favors.[46]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions
(1) A practice denounced by Sakya-Sinha, reflecting social issues in Indian religious practices of the time.[47]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) This is a specific act within the jyotishtoma-sacrifice, which is considered an act of duty according to scripture, thus not being unholy.[48]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) At a time when these were everyday practices, the dogma of total abstinence from all sacrifices and uniform mercy to all creatures produced a revulsion of feeling.[49]
Jain concept of 'Animal sacrifice'
Animal sacrifice in Jainism is defined as the killing of animals during rituals. This practice was supported by King Sagara, influenced by Parvata. However, Jainism strictly prohibits violence, making animal sacrifice contrary to its core principles.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) These acts involved innocent animals being bound and led for slaughter in a sacrifice, influenced by wicked Brahmans and seen as a crime.[50] (2) Animal-sacrifices refer to the acts of killing animals during rituals, which were endorsed by King Sagara under the influence of Parvata.[51]
The concept of Animal sacrifice in local and regional sources
Animal sacrifice, a religious practice, involved ritualistic animal offerings to appease deities. These practices were viewed as essential for renouncing desires, but were challenged by figures like Buddha and the Jain revolution. They were also a point of contention between religious sects and associated with specific rituals and beliefs.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Animal sacrifice is something that Hinduism did not advocate, as abstaining from cruelty brings inexhaustible penances and makes one a father and mother to all creatures.[52] (2) A ritual act of offering animals in fire, accepted as necessary within the framework of Vedic ethics and beliefs.[53] (3) Acts of killing animals that are seen as permissible in Hinduism due to their ritualistic significance outlined in the Vedas.[54] (4) The ritual offering of animals in fire, seen as a necessity for the renunciation of possessions and desires.[55] (5) Ritual practices in the Vedic religion involving the offering of animals to appease deities, later abandoned in schools like Buddhism.[56]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Animal sacrifices are the act of killing animals as part of religious rituals, which the Jain revolution helped to save Indian society from.[57] (2) Buddha said this is another superstition, and he offered himself as a sacrifice, stating that God and soul are the two big superstitions.[58] (3) These practices, along with Vedic Yajnas, were considered by one group to be the entirety of religion, contrasting with another sect's views.[59] (4) Animal sacrifices were considered by one party to be part of religion, alongside other practices like Vedic Yajnas, representing a specific religious practice within a broader context.[60] (5) Buddha dealt a blow at animal sacrifice from which India has never recovered, according to the text.[61]
The concept of Animal sacrifice in scientific sources
Animal sacrifice, in this context, involves the humane euthanasia of experimental animals. This process is conducted to obtain biological samples and measure parameters for analysis. It is performed at specific time points, or at the end of the experiment, to gather data.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Animal sacrifice is a topic of debate between daksinacara and vamacar, along with questions about the admission of women into esotericism and the possibility of achieving liberation.[62] (2) Animal sacrifice was rejected by neo-Vaisnava groups, who could not participate in the killing of animals for food and rejected animal sacrifice and consumption of sacrificial meat, which was practiced by ´Saktas.[63] (3) Animal sacrifices are offerings of animals to deities or spirits as a form of propitiation, and these are central to Miao spiritual practices, notably in the zhuiniu ritual.[64] (4) Animal sacrifice within the sacrificial rites of Ding is analyzed by Thierry Meynard, who argues that a pig can be selected as a sacrificial offering if it shows no reaction to the hot wine.[65] (5) An intensified use of this practice that persisted until the dynasty’s fall, characterizing a new departure in the middle to late Shang period, contrasting with later interpretations.[66]
From: Religious Inquiries (Journal)
(1) This is authorized by the Quran to provide food for humans and is a part of the rituals of hajj.[67]
From: International Journal of Pharmacology
(1) The rats were at the time of sacrifice first weighed and then anaesthesized by placing them in a closed jar containing cotton wool sucked with chloroform anaesthesia.[68] (2) The procedure of humanely euthanizing the animals at the end of the experiment to collect biological samples for analysis.[69]
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) This is the process of euthanizing the animals used in the experiment, which was done at a specific time point.[70]
Classical concept of 'Animal sacrifice'
From: The Book of the Dead
(1) It is something the origin and development of among the early Egyptians lies outside the scope of the work.[71]