Q. What do you like about crocodiles?

A. This is the first time anyone has asked me this intriguing question! Crocodiles are not on my list of favourite creatures, they seem a bit fierce and have sharp teeth but I can appreciate that they are part of the rich diversity of life. An important Buddhist teaching is inter-connectedness - how everything is, in some way, connected or dependent on other living beings. Life on this planet depends upon this delicate balance. When this gets upset by things like climate change (global warming) or human behaviour, we often forget that it's not just animals that are affected. The knock-on effects will reach humanity too.

Buddhism promotes the practice of metta, 'loving-kindness' towards all creatures whether big or small, cuddly or not. It encourages us to think and act with compassion and to have a reverence for life. Non-harming is the first precept or ethical guideline for Buddhists.

Jan McHarry
Involved in the London Buddhist Centre