Under the Shadow of Wiriyatharo

Under the Shadow of Wiriyatharo

Devotee: I want to make merit through life liberation. What kind of animals should I let go?

Luang Ta: “Releasing thousands of birds or hundreds of thousands of fish is still not as good as letting go and forgiving. Life liberation is a good thing as it involves compassion, but it’s still at a basic level of tamboon. 

This is suitable for people who are just starting out in keeping the precepts and making merit, because the mind is still neither stable nor strong yet. Some people do it out of pity, some do so to make merit. 

Ultimately, it depends on each individual’s intentions.”

Luang Ta also brought up an incident which happened when he and his group travelled to Phichit Province. They went to a temple to pray which happened to be near a river. Many well-wishing disciples went to buy a large number of small fish, asking Luang Ta to release them. 

Luang Ta just went “Anumodana Boon” to rejoice in their merits when the disciples brought the 100-odd small fish and released them into the river in front of them temple. The moment they released the fish, the large predator fishes appeared and ate all the small fish up in front of their eyes. 

The group of luksits who released the fish felt very sad and dismayed. Some tried to cheer each other up by saying that they still made merit by feeding the big fishes. 

Luang Ta commented that making merit is good, but one must consider the cost and benefit of each action. But in this case, one shouldn’t think too much as whatever is done is done. We should only think about virtuous and good things. 

Admin: Some people release predatory fish such as catfish in large amounts which will devastate the ecosystem by eating up all the small fish and aquatic animals. If you release a few catfishes from the market stall to prevent them from being eaten, that is still fine. 

But many Buddhist devotees around the world hold very large and grand life liberation events that involve hundreds or thousands of fishes being released at once. We must consider the impact on the eco-system and aquatic life. 

There are many kinds of merit. The best merit is to change our own hearts for the better, by eradicating our defilements. Therefore if you ask Luang Ta what is the best thing to release, Luang Ta will reply that it is to release unhappiness and letting things go and learning to forgive. 

Cr. Under the Shadow of Wiriyatharo