This campaign is offensive to Buddhists on many levels including using sacred images, such as monks who give their lives in the service of the Buddha?s teachings, to sell the company?s products. This is just as offensive as showing a kosher Jew eating pork for corporate gain.

In addition, the First Precept, or basic rules of Buddhism, is "Do not kill." This Precept includes all sentient beings--not just humans. By using the image of a Buddhist monk to sell their products, they are not only promoting the slaughter of sentient beings, which is strictly prohibited in Buddhism, but are insinuating that it is okay for Buddhists to eat meat. In the Mahaparinirvana Sutra the Buddha states that "the eating of meat extinguishes the seed of great compassion." The Hillshire Farm ad campaign is a disrespectful slap in the face of the many millions of Buddhists throughout the world.

If you agree, please contact the company and respectfully ask that they immediately halt this campaign until the thoughtless and insulting images of Buddhists can be removed. You can visit the Hillshire Farm comment page (http://www.hillshirefarm.com/contact/default_new.asp) to voice your concerns, or contact them at:

800/328-2426
Hillshire Farm & Kahn's
P.O. Box 25111
Cincinnati, OH 45225

Gabe Konrad, director of VeggieDharma.Org, has contacted Hillshire Farm & Kahn?s and will pass on any comments the company has in defense of their campaign.