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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) &
Wildlife
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Wildlife
The protection of wildlife, and especially species seen
as endangered, is a core activity affecting ARC and our
partners around the world. One of the biggest driving
forces behind illegal poaching is the demand for body
parts such as rhino horn and tiger penis to supply the
black market in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Although such a trade is outlawed, according to TCM
practitioners these commodities have powerful medical
properties and their rarity means they come at a very
high price, making them highly profitable to poachers
and traders alike.
But the principles
underlying TCM come from the same tradition as Daoism
and are rooted in the need to always bring about balance
and harmony in the universe. This means that any
ingredient obtained by threatening the existence of a
species of plant or animal will be ineffective as a
curative medicine. This important fact has been endorsed
by the leading Daoist scholars in China while at the
same time they are identifying alternative (sustainable)
herbal remedies that can be used instead.
ARC has been working in partnership with the
Chinese Daoist Association who are promoting this
vitally important message by speaking in public forums,
writing articles and teaching. This challenge to the
demand for body parts is part of a global strategy, with
ARC's partners in countries like Indonesia, Kenya and
other sub-Saharan African nations committing themselves
to raising awareness in communities where the animals
are being poached. With committed faith groups from
Christian and Muslim communities joining the Daoists in
challenging both supply and demand it is hoped that the
needless slaughter of these beautiful and iconic species
can be brought to a halt.
Further links
Wildlife and Forests: China
Prince of Wales praises faiths for speaking out
forcefully against the wildlife trade
Article on Daoism and Confucianism protecting China's
environment
PRESS RELEASE: First UK visit for top Chinese Daoist
environmentalists
African religious leaders join forces to help stop
illegal wildlife trade
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Daoist Faith Statement
Formal statement of Daoist beliefs about ecology:
"If all things in the universe grow well, then a
society is a community of affluence. If not, this
kingdom is on the decline."
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Wildlife and Forests
Every faith teaches us about our relationship with
the natural, wild world. This is why wildlife
programmes are a particularly important area for
ARC.
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February 14, 2014:
Prince of Wales praises faiths for speaking out
forcefully against the wildlife trade
In a speech yesterday at the Illegal Wildlife Trade
Conference in London, HRH the Prince of Wales named
the world's religions for playing a strong role in
the fight to protect wildlife
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