The fact that the First Precept and other teachings forbid killing and hurting is not controversial among Buddhists. Where the controversy comes in is the question of whom Buddhists are forbidden to kill or hurt. If this were the case, then it could be claimed that for a Buddhist, eating a rabbit is no worse than eating a carrot. Here I am at a disadvantage, as I have not yet learned Pali, nor do I have the scriptures as originally rendered in Pali. When a man considers this, he does not kill or cause to kill.
All beings fear before danger, life is dear to all.
When a man considers this, he does not kill or cause to kill. Here, the Buddha explains that we should not kill out of consideration for the feelings of fear and the love of life that beings experience. Some skeptics may claim that nonhuman animals are not really sentient. Like a fish which is thrown on dry land, taken from his home in the waters, the mind strives and struggles to get free from the power of Death. Therefore, at least fish, birds, and mammals could not be killed or otherwise hurt according to the First Precept and other teachings which protect sentient beings.