Friday, July 31, 2009

Buddhist Volunteers for Animals and People

I plan to start my own nonprofit organization that would combine three of the biggest passions in my life -- Buddhism, volunteering, and animals. I will call my organization -- Buddhist Volunteers for Animals and People (BVAP). Membership would be open to anyone who is either practicing Buddhism or wishes to learn more about Buddhism. In addition to Buddhism, members would have a very strong interest in volunteering and a genuine love for all animals (not just the animals we call pets). The mission of BVAP is two-fold: (1) To integrate the Buddhist principles of loving-kindness and compassion in the service of animals and people and (2) To support and encourage Buddhist vegans. Some of our projects would include the following:
  • Provide animal-assisted therapy in nursing homes, hospitals, and hospices
  • Offer companionship and assistance to home-bound seniors
  • Raise money to help animal rescue organizations
  • Educate people about the health, environmental, and animal-related advantages of plant-based eating
My plan is to start BVAP in Northern California, then eventually start a branch in Southern California. When I retire, I plan to start a branch of BVAP on the Big Island of Hawaii where my husband and I plan to spend half of the year. I already belong to several Bay Area Buddhist organizations, I'm an active animal-assisted therapy volunteer in San Francisco and the East Bay, and I belong to a local vegan club. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone who shares all three of my passions.

Even after I retire, BVAP is something I can continue to develop for the rest of my life. In Possessing the Secret of Joy, Alice Walker wrote, "The secret of joy is resistance to evil." The point of human existence, Walker contends is to move beyond ourselves and fight to make the world a kinder place. Refusing to support cruelty and suffering is crucial, but the next step -- resisting injustice -- is even more important.

In President Barack Obama's inaugural speech, he said, "We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." I believe the animals who share our planet deserve their full measure of happiness too.

The poet Adrienne Rich wrote, "So much as been destroyed I have cast my lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world." When I retire, I'm not going to settle for a life of indolent leisure. I want to continue doing something good for our world and all sentient beings every day for the rest of my life. If you share my passion for Buddhism, volunteering, and animals, please email me at gguval@yahoo.com. I hope to hear from you!