Turtle karma

On a quick jaunt to the edge of the lake, I noted a commotion among the gluttonous waterfowl: A party of Asian folks was doling out the contents of three jumbo bags of white bread. They also appeared to be removing something from a ventilated Styrofoam box and slipping it into the water. What the...?

On closer inspection, the liberated box-dwellers turned out to be three grapefruit-sized turtles. One plunged eagerly into the deep, one paddled listlessly, and one floated in fully retracted state.

The young man patiently explained that he and his companions were Thai Buddhists, and today was the half-moon, a day for releasing creatures as an act of compassion to obtain blessings. (The practice is apparently called tham bun, or "making merit.") They had purchased the turtles in Chinatown, where they were destined for the kitchen; turtles, he said, were revered for their gentle ways and long life. The full moon would be time for another offering, he added. 

I have no idea whether this species of turtle (it looked like a common painted turtle to me) is a good or bad addition to the lake's ecosystem; the practice of compassionate release of animals near temples has become controversial in Thailand, especially in heavily visited areas where the creatures may be caught or raised just for this purpose. However, since my first thought upon seeing this tableau was "Chinese restaurant leftover dump," it provided a humbling opportunity to surrender a few crumbs of my own ignorance. Surely that, too, makes merit for better karma.

Tham dii, dai dii; tham chua, dai chua. (Do good and receive good; do evil and receive evil.)                                                                —Thai proverb

Comments

[Annales Cambriae]

Well, I admire the symbolism and thought; it's a beautiful riutal.

But the introduction of these turtles will harm the ecosystem of the lake. And the turtles will probably not fare well at all.

[Rob]

Unfortunately, people release all sorts of creatures into the lake. I have found non-native softshelled turtles and, my friend Steve, found a dying terrapin a few years back. Terrapins can't survive in fresh water. To find out about protected species in NYS, go here:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7494.html