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Call for action: Write to the Venerable Jinhwa!

Buddhism is the second most popular religion in South Korea behind Christianity(including Catholics) whose followers make up half of their population. Therefore, it is important to reach out to the Buddhist communities and their leaders to urge them to help end the horrific cruelty of the dog and cat meat trade in South Korea.

With the teachings of Buddha standing against killing of all animals, Korean Buddhists should be doing more to bring the end to the terrible violence and brutality perpetrated in their country.

Jinhwa Sunim 진화스님

The Venerable Jinhwa is the Chairman of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, which operates the Temple Stay program in South Korea. He is a very powerful and influential person in the Korean Buddhist community.
Please send emails and letters to the Venerable Jinhwa!

Email addresses:
[email protected]; [email protected]

Mailing address:
Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism
Temple Stay Information Center
Attention: Jinhwa Sunim
71 Gyeongjidong Jongnogu Seoul, South Korea

Telephone 011-82-2-2031-2000
Fax 011-82-2-732-9988

Address in Korean:
한국불교문화사업단장 진화스님
서울시 종로구 견지동 71 번지 템플스테이 통합정보센터 4 층

Click for Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism’s homepage!

Click for Temple Stay on Facebook!

Sample Letter (below):

Subject: Please stop the dog meat cruelty! 대한민국의 개, 불쌍한 누렁이를 살려주세요!

Dear Venerable Jinhwa Sunim,

I am writing this letter to you with the hopes of raising awareness and inspiring encouragement to end the dog and cat meat consumption in South Korea. I hope that as a follower of Buddha, you can find it in your heart to not only sympathize with the plight of these helpless animals, but that you would also seek to find justice for the meek and put an end to the horrors of this industry.

As you know very well, dogs and cats are still being eaten in South Korea. Much of the brutality these poor animals experience is not only in the way that they are slaughtered, but also in the horrible and intentional abuse they endure preceding their deaths. Many believe that the more a dog suffers, the tastier the meat and the greater the health benefits.

Korea recently passed the Animal Protection Law for companion animals. However, dogs are still being beaten, hung, electrocuted and tortured by farmers and slaughterers. Furthermore, dogs and cats are being beaten and boiled alive for so-called elixirs, which do not have any medicinal value except in the minds of ignorant and gullible customers. Not only are these practices evil and sadistic, they bring much unwanted and shameful attention to South Korea. As the fourteenth largest economy in the world, they are advanced in technology but failing in humanity.

While many are proud and do not want to face the truth about their country of origin, it is imperative that you do not ignore or deny what is going on in Korea. I would like to believe that as a follower of Buddha, it would behoove you to end any type of cruelty, especially since it is inflicted upon some of the most helpless creatures on this earth. “When a man has pity on all living creatures then only is he noble.” ~Buddha

Please take the time to watch the following video: https://youtu.be/_ZVQjgGb4RQ and read the following teaching of Beopjeong Priest: https://koreandogs.org/beopjeong/

존경하는 진화스님께

안녕하세요.

한국의 개와 고양이 식용악습에대해 알려드리고 개와 고양이 식용금지를 위해 도움을 청하기위해서 이렇게 간절한 마음으로 이 서신을 보냅니다. 부처님을 따르는자로서 힘없는 동물들이 처한 어려움을 불쌍하게만 여기지 마시고 그들을 옳바르게 대해주고 이 끔찍한 행위에 종지부를 찍는일에 도와주실수는 없을까요?

잘 아시겠지만 한국에서는 아직도 개와 고양이를 잡아먹고있습니다. 이 불쌍한 동물들이 도살되는 방법만 잔인한게 아닙니다. 죽음에 이르기까지 견뎌야하는 끔찍하고 고의적인 학대 역시 매우 잔인합니다. 개가 고통스러워할수록 고기가 훨씬 맛있어지고 건강에 더 유익하다고 믿는 사람들이 아직도 많기때문입니다.

최근 한국에서는 애완동물에 대한 동물보호법이 통과되었습니다. 하지만 여전히 개농장이나 도살장에서는 개들이 두드려 맞고, 목 매달리고, 감전되고, 고문을 당하고 있습니다. 게다가 의학적 가치가 전혀 없음에도 불구하고 일부 무지하고 자기 주관이 없는사람들로 인해 보약이라는 미명하에 개와 고양이가 구타당하고 산 채로 삶아지고 있습니다. 이 관습은 매우 잔인하고 가학적입니다. 게다가 한국이 다른 나라로부터 반갑지 않으며 또 수치스러운 시선의 집중을 받게 됩니다. 전세계에서 14번째 경제강국인 한국은 기술적인 면에서는 앞서나가고 있을지라도 인성적인 면에서는 뒤떨어지고 있습니다.

많은 사람들이 자신의 조국을 자랑스러워 하면서도이런 불편한 진실에는 외면하고자 하지만, 한국에서 일어나고 있는 일에 대해 눈감거나 부인하지 말아주시길 부탁드립니다. 부처님의 가르침을 따르는 자로서 우리는 어떠한 형태의 잔인함이라도 종식시켜야 하는 게 옳다고 믿습니다. 특히 이 지구상에서 가장 힘없는 생명들에게 가해지는 잔인함이라면 더 그렇습니다. “모든 생명체에 연민의 정을 느낄 때 비로소 인간는 숭고하다.” ~부처님 말씀 https://youtu.be/_ZVQjgGb4RQ

Temple Stay Homepage: http://eng.templestay.com/


Please sign petitions against the South Korean Dog Meat Cruelty!

  1. Darlene Baneky
    Darlene BanekyNovember 28,14

    Hi. My name is Darlene Baneky. I am writing in regards to the Dog meat Market in South Korea. You are a very knowlegible person and want to ask you if you can please help end the torture and death of our furry friends. Dogs are useful for so many things such as leading the blind, protection and just wonderful loving pets. My heart cries for them and pray everyday for these animals. Please please make a difference for these dogs and end the dog meat markets. Please end the suffering forever. You will go down in history books and praised to the highest if you can do this.
    Thank you
    Darlene Baneky

  2. Diana Monks
    Diana MonksNovember 29,14

    My name is Diana Monks. I own three dogs that we love dearly. They are so lucky to be loved and have happy, healthy lives. All dogs should be loved and enjoy happy, healthy lives. It breaks my heart to see, and hear of even one dog being brutally killed to be used as dog meat. Dogs are sentient beings. They feel pain, fear, and love. Dogs bond with, and trust human beings. They make marvelous pets. Please end the suffering of so many innocent, beautiful dogs. Dogs are family not food ! Please end this barbaric and unnecessary practice. Thank you. Diana Monks

  3. Susan Frudd
    Susan FruddNovember 29,14

    We share a planet with many species and I believe that we should respect and understand them. To cause suffering and misery to those who have no voice is a cruel and inhumane practice. Please help the poor dogs and cats that suffer barbaric treatment daily with no help at hand and no compassion. I cannot imagine the pain and terror these poor creatures suffer but my heart and conscience as a human being pains me to know of their plight. I feel as many totally useless in knowing how to help stop this shocking practice. The brutal cruelty they receive is most unnecessary why are they treated in such a way. These are domestic animals that form a bond a friendship with people and ask only for kindness and care not to be part of a cruel food chain.
    Please end this dreadful suffering for them and let them be free.

    Thank you for reading my letter.

  4. Tina Reeves
    Tina ReevesNovember 29,14

    Please, please if it is in power to end this unnecessary pain and suffering that these loving animals go through. It is not needed in this century.
    Where love can be given by these animals, these humans just show the evils in us. Dogs do suffer in the same ways as us, fear, depression, stress, but one thing they have more than us, is loyalty.

  5. Colette Gondal
    Colette GondalNovember 29,14

    J’ai beaucoup de respect pour vous et je pense que vous ne restez pas insensible à la souffrance de ces pauvres chiens qui souffrent et qui, à la fin, perdent la vie dans des conditions effroyables. Il est possible de vivre sans manger cette viande de chien! Les chiens sont des êtres sensibles et apportent beaucoup d’affection aux humains qui savent s’en imprégner… Je suis une femme de 70 ans qui a toujours vécu, depuis l’enfance, de grandes souffrances, et ce sont les chiens qui m’ont aidée à survivre par leur tendresse.
    Je ne peux pas envisager de manger ces chiens, qui m’ont sauvée…!
    Je suis certaine que vous aurez la capacité et la volonté de réfléchir sur le fait que les chiens sont des êtres sensibles et qu’ils éprouvent de la souffrance lorsqu’ils sont maltraités. Ils ont le droit d’être respectés en tant qu’êtres vivants. Alors, pas possible de les tuer et les manger!
    Je vous demande la faveur d’agir,comme vous le pouvez, pour demander l’arrêt de l’exploitation de ces pauvres bêtes.
    Je vous remercie et vous adresse mon respect total.

  6. LINDA BADHAM
    LINDA BADHAMNovember 29,14

    THE HEINOUS DESPICABLE CRUELTY THAT THE POOR DOGS AND CATS ENDURE IS REALLY UNTHINKABLE AND TO ME ITS THE MOST REPULSIVE EVIL THAT CAN EVER HAPPEN TO GODS CREATURES. IT MUST BE STOPPED IT MUST BE CRIMINAL AND THE WORLD IS DISGUSTED BY THE VILE ACTIONS OF THESE SPIRITUALLY DEAD HUMANS. THE FATHER OF US ALL WATCHES EVERY MOVEMENT AND HES WAITING FOR THIS TO BE STOPPED !! HIS WRATH WILL BE FELT !!

  7. dorian canalizo
    dorian canalizoNovember 29,14

    When I think of Buddhism, I think of peace and harmony with the earth. Please help stop the horrific torture and killing of dogs and cats in your country. I am sick to my stomach when I think about the poor innocent creatures that depend on us. It is wrong. We do not have to do this to survive. Please take a stand against this! Thank you.

  8. christina pafitis
    christina pafitisNovember 30,14

    disgusting bloody evil evil people well never ever go to your country for a holiday

  9. Elisabeth Läderach
    Elisabeth LäderachNovember 30,14

    Ich wünsche mir so sehr, dass auf diesem schönen Planeten Frieden und Geborgenheit herrschen. Tiere haben eine Seele und Seelen tötet man nicht. Die Natur stellt uns genügend pflanzliche Nahrung dar. Warum müssen Menschen nur so gierig auf das töten seine? Die höhere Macht will das nicht und sie wird uns eines Tages vernichten, denn der Mensch ist ein Irrtum der Natur..♥lichen Dank für ihr entgegenkommen.

  10. Brigitte MICHEL
    Brigitte MICHELNovember 30,14

    Brigitte MICHEL

    Avec le plus grand respect, je viens vers vous en vous suppliant de faire quelque chose, de toutes vos forces et de tout votre coeur, pour ces pauvres animaux qui subissent d’atroces souffrances inutiles ” D’UN AUTRE AGE ” POUR DES CROYANCES RIDICULES entre autres.

    Je souffre et je pleure pour ces animaux qui ont tant à donner, si peu qu’on leur donne de l’affection et de bons soins.

    J’ai eu 7 chiennes, je les connais bien, ces animaux font tout pour vous faire plaisir, vous servir, ils vous sont fidèles jusqu’à la mort, ils vous donnent de la joie, de l’affection. Il y a beaucoup d’amour, de compréhension et de complicité entre eux et nous. Ils sont très intelligents.

    Pourquoi tant de souffrances, de cruauté et de BARBARIE ???

    Je fait appelle à votre sagesse. S’IL VOUS PLAÎT. MERCI

  11. isabella aliaud
    isabella aliaudNovember 30,14

    So che il Buddismo è compassione e amore nei confronti di ogni creatura che condivide con noi Madre Terra, le chiedo dunque con il cuore in mano e tutto lo strazio e l’orrore per quanto sta accadendo nel suo paese a migliaia e migliaia di cani e gatti seviziati e torturati a morte di intervenire con tutta l’autorevolezza e la saggezza che le appartengono per porre fine a questo incubo senza ritorno che appesantisce irrimediabilmente il karma di tante persone come sicuramente Lei sa bene; La prego anche a nome di moltissimi italiani, inorriditi e sconvolti da tale barbarie, compia un miracolo! Solamente Lei, Venerabile Jinhwa Sunim, può riuscirci!

  12. Sarah Rushworth
    Sarah RushworthNovember 30,14

    Please please please!!!! stop the horrific torture and killing of dogs and cats in your country. I am sick to my stomach when I think about the poor innocent creatures that depend on us. It is wrong. We do not have to do this to survive. How can people even think the torture is acceptable. Please ban it, my dog is my life, they have so much to give as loving pets. Please end this now. I will come over and set up an animal sanctuary if necessary. It must stop!!!!

  13. Pam Sheeler
    Pam SheelerDecember 1,14

    Please display your compassion for dogs and cats in your country by discontinuing the heinous dog/cat meat trade. Dogs and cats are companion animals not meant to sustain such incredible torture and then be butchered. You are a wise, caring, and influential individual and this is your chance to demonstrate this activity needs to be stopped immediately. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

  14. LINDA BADHAM
    LINDA BADHAMDecember 1,14

    I TRULY DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW ANY PERSON ON THIS EARTH WHO KNOWS RIGHT FROM WRONG CAN DO SUCH EVIL CRUELTY TO GODS GIFT TO US HUMANS . THE DOG IS THE MOST LOYAL FRIEND A HUMAN CAN EVER HAVE . TO INFLICT THE TERROR AND PAIN AND TORTURE ON THEM IS A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY AND TO GOD . THE ANIMALS HAVE AS MUCH RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES IN PEACE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THIS TERRIBLE WRONG AND IT MUST BE STOPPED !! I FOR ONE ALONG WITH MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE POOR BEAUTIFUL DOGS (AND CATS) UNTIL THIS STOPS. HOW CAN IT NOT STOP WHEN IT IS SO WRONG.

  15. Elaine Brown
    Elaine BrownDecember 2,14

    The cruelty and gruesome treatment of these poor companion animals is deplorable. The karma created by these dog killers is accumulating and for all of us who love and protect dogs, horses, cats, rabbits, and wildlife, we are not enough to compensate for this brutality. Please end this at once.

  16. sergey
    sergeyDecember 2,14

    my name is sergey

  17. Donna Price
    Donna PriceDecember 2,14

    THE DOG IS THE MOST LOYAL FRIEND A HUMAN CAN EVER HAVE . TO INFLICT THE TERROR AND PAIN AND TORTURE ON THEM IS A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY AND TO GOD . THE ANIMALS HAVE AS MUCH RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES IN PEACE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.
    THERE IS NO NEED FOR THIS TERRIBLE WRONG AND IT MUST BE STOPPED !! I FOR ONE ALONG WITH MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE POOR BEAUTIFUL DOGS (AND CATS) UNTIL THIS STOPS. HOW CAN IT NOT STOP WHEN IT IS SO WRONG.

  18. Donna Price
    Donna PriceDecember 2,14

    THE DOG IS THE MOST LOYAL FRIEND A HUMAN CAN EVER HAVE . TO INFLICT THE TERROR AND PAIN AND TORTURE ON THEM IS A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY AND TO GOD . THE ANIMALS HAVE AS MUCH RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES IN PEACE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THIS TERRIBLE WRONG AND IT MUST BE STOPPED !! I FOR ONE ALONG WITH MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE POOR BEAUTIFUL DOGS (AND CATS) UNTIL THIS STOPS. HOW CAN IT NOT STOP WHEN IT IS SO WRONG. It is wrong!!!

  19. Renata Omischl
    Renata OmischlDecember 2,14

    Ich habe selber einen Hund und hatte schon seit meine Kindheit immer einer. Ich weiss wie die sind, ich kenne Ihre Blicke, Ihre Bewegungungen, und ich kann sagen die Seele eines Hundes ist der schönste Sache der Welt. Mit laufen die Tränen runter wenn Hunde umgebracht werden, vor allem ohne Grund oder wegen schlechte Gründe. Der Mensch musst doch mal irgendwann mal in der Lage sein Ihre Augen aufmachen zu können und Empathie lernen, vor allem Toleranz, denn das was Heute abgeht ist wirklich schlimm!

  20. かれん
    かれんDecember 3,14

    家畜肉を消費するのは近代国でごく平常に普及している事です。韓国も例外ではありません。食材が豊富である中、慣習として犬や猫の肉を消費するのは、野蛮です。未だに、私達の良きペットを虐待し、食する 韓国。 また、この国のモラル低下による、先のアジア大会の失敗を見ている限り、三年後の『冬季オリンピック』開催に不信を感じざるを得ません。

  21. Людмила Климова
    Людмила КлимоваDecember 3,14

    Здравствуйте Преподобный Jinhwa! В наше время – время Изменений – каждый поступок, действие и даже мысль имеют очень большое значение для каждого человека и планеты Земля. Жестокость, а также нечуствительность, равнодушие к чужой боли, кого то ни было дерева, птицы, животного, человека является признаком МЕРТВОГО человека. Возможно, если бы Вы, Преподобный Jinhwa (если Вы имеете такую возможность), смогли ограничить посещение людей, убивающих и употребляющих собак и кошек в пищу, в ХРАМЫ или другие Святые места, как мертвых людей. Возможно страх быть изгоем подействует и человеческое сможет родиться в этих людях. И они почувствуют БОЛЬ.
    Прошу прощения, если что-то не так. С уважением

  22. Ana Rodriguez
    Ana RodriguezDecember 4,14

    The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

    Mahatma Gandhi

  23. lakshika Pallepola
    lakshika PallepolaDecember 5,14

    Please sir give your spiritual contribution to stop the massacre of innocent cats and dogs.Killing those innocent creatures to have a temporary satisfaction of the gustatory sense is meaningless as well as inhuman. As we the human beings have a right to life these poor creatures must have got that fundamental right since they, by the ones who stro like us do not inherit the potentiaal to engage in demonstrations once it is infringed by the ones who strongly belive in that major right.Eventhough your intervention relating to the prevention of killing the innocent had become unsuccessful i rigidly belive that they would have punished by the unseen god above for their inhuman activities. May such devils burn in hell!!

  24. Lynn J
    Lynn JDecember 8,14

    This horror must end! It’s an atrocity against living, breathing sentiment beings who have souls. These sun humans who do this will feel the karmic justice that they so very much deserve. Animals have as much right to live their lives in peace, with happiness, and feel love as much as any human.
    In this world of hate, prejudice, war, terrorism, poverty, hunger, the odds are stacked against us to try to straighten everything out on our own. Please pray to God, the Higher Power, the Great Spirit, the Universal Power, or whatever you choose but we need help to make this and everything in this world right.

  25. Dee Ahlquist
    Dee AhlquistDecember 16,14

    Please do the MORAL thing and enforce the ILLEGAL dog meat trade!
    the suffering is unbelievable and should never happen anywhere in this
    world! NEVER!

  26. agnese Laneve
    agnese LaneveJanuary 8,15

    E’ contro natura ,i cani sono anime come noi e non cibo,intervenite,mostrate la vostra comprensione e pietà,grazie agnese Italia

  27. Lucy
    LucyJanuary 24,15

    You guys, please rate Temple Stay on FaceBook! Give them a 1 star because they do not deserve a good 5 star! I already rated a low 1 telling them about this monstrosity.

  28. Erica Williams
    Erica WilliamsJanuary 25,15

    Please use your influence to end this horrific practice of using dogs for meat consumption. They are sentient beings deserving of respect and the right to live their lives free from the horrors of this trade.

  29. christina pafitis
    christina pafitisJanuary 25,15

    please stop this horrible and cruel way of killing these poor innocent animals please teach your people to love and respect all animals. animals have a heart they also feel pain we need to look after all god creatures and not abuse them so in the name of god please stop these killings

  30. Svetlana
    SvetlanaJanuary 25,15

    Для меня,то что происходит в Корее за гранью понимания,жестокое убийство беззащитных живых существ нельзя оправдать ничем, все наши деяния к нам же и возвращаются,к нашим детям и к нашим внукам. ”До тех пор пока люди будут резать животных,они будут убивать друг друга, И,действительно,тот,кто сеет зерно убийства и боли,не может пожинать радость и любовь.” (Пифагор)

  31. Maire Roche
    Maire RocheJanuary 25,15

    Please stop this cruel trade. Dogs are companion animals and not suitable as dog meat.
    The very first wolf that became tame and eventually resulted in dogs worldwide was a female small wolf from Korea.
    Please show compassion and respect for mans best friend, protector and servant. Show them the respect and compassion they deserve.
    Please do not allow the dog meat business to continue.

    Maire Roche
    Terenure, Dublin 12, Ireland

  32. ewa
    ewaJanuary 25,15

    Stop thuis please!!!

  33. WAU
    WAUFebruary 7,15

    THAT HUNGRY FOR CANNOT STOP TORTURING LIVING CREATURES IN SUCH A GREWSOME WAY NOBODY CAN BE, THIS IS MONSTERWORK NOT HUMANDEGRADING – THESE INHUMANE EVIL DOING CRYING FOR CONSEQUENCES AND IS TO BAN IN THE MOMENT !
    NO WORDING FOR THAT – SPEECHLESS – PURE GREED, INFANTILISM AND SADISM.
    NEVER WANT MEET MONSTERS LIKE THEM!
    FAUGH ! LAST RABBLE!
    THE WORST SITUATION HAPPENS TO ALL OF THAT KIND OF CRUEL MONSTERS IS NOT ENOUGH!

    ALL KOREAN GHOSTS WILL TAKE THEM TO THE HOTTEST HELL!

  34. Sean Grewnqood
    Sean GrewnqoodMarch 9,15

    demons.

  35. Brigitte
    BrigitteMarch 10,15

    Lettre envoyée to the Venerable Jinhwa Fait et signée pétition ! STOP CRUELTY DOGS/CATS ET ANIMALS PAYS ASIATIQUES

  36. alla
    allaJune 5,15

    stop it!

  37. Carole Fraser
    Carole FraserJanuary 7,17

    Please please stop this evil vile Brutality and murder of innocent animals in your country they were not put on this earth to be tortured and murdered they are innocent ,the whole world are against you ,you are being viewed as satanic evil vile Demonds you wil all come to a wicked end Karma is watching you will all pay the price for this evil Death awaits you .

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