Vegetarianism and Animal Protection

This article examines the significant roles played by Buddhists and their strategic use of the burgeoning print media in Shanghai as a mobilizing force for animal activism in early 20th-century China through the case study of Hushengbao, established in 1932. Proclaiming itself as “the first magazine in East Asia committed to advocating the ideas of animal protection and vegetarianism,” the brief yet dynamic history of Hushengbao illustrates its prominence in promoting animal protection by explaining animal suffering, fostering networks, and encouraging concrete actions. The magazine framed the evils of meat consumption not only as a source of personal bad karma but also as a contributing factor to national and global crises. Moving beyond traditional accounts of karmic retribution, Hushengbao vividly depicted the suffering inflicted on animals, demonstrating a heightened ethical concern that resonated with both Chinese and global audiences. It also fostered an imagined community of animal advocates and served as a nexus uniting like-minded Buddhists to inspire concrete actions aimed at alleviating animal suffering.