This article introduces contemporary Scottish writer John Burnside, whose works cover poetry collections, novels, short story collections, biographies, and literary criticism, and have won multiple literary awards. Burnside tends to define himself based on concepts, habitats, and relationships with animals, rather than just being a Scottish poet. His poetry prominently features animal themes, exploring the relationship between the human and non-human worlds. There is relatively little research on him domestically, and He Ning's research focuses on his "repentance" themed poetry. However, foreign scholars such as Brian Taylor, David Boswick, and Monica Suba have analyzed Burnside's animal poetry from different perspectives, believing that his works reflect anthropocentrism and demonstrate the possibility of equal coexistence between humans and animals. Burnside's poetry emphasizes the temporality of the human home, seeking intimate contact with animals to achieve integrity. This article will analyze the Buddhist ideas in Burnside's animal poetry from the perspectives of equality among all beings, non killing, and the community between humans and animals. Although he himself is not a Buddhist, his works are influenced by Buddhist ideas.

1、 Equality of all beings

Explored the Buddhist ideas reflected in John Burnside's animal poetry, particularly the concept of equality among all beings. The term 'sentient beings' in Buddhism encompasses both humans and animals, emphasizing that all sentient beings possess Buddha nature and have no essential difference from each other. Burnside expressed his philosophical and political belief in the equality of all life in the interview, believing that social justice should start with respecting all life. His poem 'History' reflects concerns about human activities disrupting ecological balance, criticizing human neglect and imprisonment of animals by describing the plight of fish. In Saint Hubert and the Deer, Burnside portrays the idea of equality among all beings through the image of Saint Hubert. The poetry collection "Same Breath" focuses on the theme of equality among all beings, depicting the goldfish's desire for freedom through "Mirror Hall, 1964" and calling for harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. Joseph Wright of Derbyshire: The Bird Experiment in the Air Pump, 1768, criticized the violence of scientific experiments on animals and reflected the apathy of anthropocentrism. The poem 'Erosion' warns of the impact of human behavior on the animal world through the death of birds and the destruction of nature by humans. At the end of the chapter, Peter Singer's viewpoint is cited, emphasizing that all lives with intrinsic value should enjoy equal respect.

2、 Do not kill

Deeply explored the Buddhist concept of "non killing" reflected in John Burnside's animal poetry. In Burnside's poem "The Sutra of Non Killing Bees," the concept of non violence and non harm is conveyed through the depiction of respect and protection for various living beings, which is consistent with the spirit of Buddhist compassion. The poem advocates leaving living space for all living beings, even those commonly considered harmful such as tide worms and flying insects, reflecting respect and protection for life. Burnside's poetry not only opposes senseless killing, but also emphasizes the care and rescue of animals, believing that it is an important act to maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. His works reflect criticism of the destruction of animal habitats by human activities and the urgency of animal protection. Burnside believed that killing is only understandable when it is necessary for survival, and killing for entertainment purposes is unacceptable. His poetry depicts the interaction between humans and animals, expressing sympathy for animals and reflection on human behavior, calling on people to establish healthier and more harmonious ecological relationships.

3、 Human animal community

Explored the concept of a community between humans and animals, emphasizing the idea of equality among sentient beings in Buddhism, that is, humans and animals share a living environment and home. Burnside expressed respect for animals and a desire for coexistence in his poetry, such as in "The Port Poems" where animals are seen as part of the home, and in "The Field Mouse" where animals are seen as guests in the home. He conveyed his longing for animals and reflection on the disappearance of animals caused by human behavior through poetry. Burnside calls on humans to open their hearts and accept animals as indispensable members of the community, in order to narrow the distance between humans and animals.

4、 Conclusion

It emphasizes the self removal tendency of male protagonists in Burnside's works, pointing out that this tendency is not limited to men, but a problem that all humanity needs to reflect on. Burnside promoted the development of ecological poetics and animal ethics by creating animal protection themed poems that incorporate Buddhist ideas. He attempted to overcome anthropocentrism in Western thought and seek to establish a new order. Burnside believed that poetry is essentially an ecological discipline, and the task of eco conscious poets is to reconnect and discover their own nature, establishing connections with broader realities and non-human organisms.