Ahimsa Silk: A Token of Love - Mr. Kusuma Rajaiah

On behalf of Supreme Master Ching Hai, Association members presented the Shining World Compassion Award to Mr. Kusuma Rajaiah in Hyderabad, India, on April 23, Golden Year 5 (2008), commending him for his compassionate contribution in the form of Ahimsa silk.

The sari is the traditional Indian dress for women, but it takes 5,000 to 10,000 silkworm cocoons to make a single silk sari. Unable to bear the killing of so many little beings, Mr. Rajaiah invented a new technique of silk extraction after the moth has exited the cocoon as opposed to the normal practice of boiling the cocoons while the moths are still inside to obtain silk. The result was Ahimsa silk. It gave Mr. Rajaiah hope that his technique would draw greater attention to animal protection. An even more precious outcome of his research was the realization that it was important to respect life, which led his family to become vegetarians.

Mr. Rajaiah and his family were highly appreciative of Supreme Master Ching Hai's commendation and acknowledgement, and strongly supported the ideal of advocating the vegetarian diet. They were also happy and grateful to receive our gifts of Master's books, DVDs and CDs.