On October 10, a Buddhist animal blessing ceremony was held in Moscow by Dzogchen professor Sangngak Tenzin Rinpoche. RIA Novosti reported that the ceremony was organized by the Animal Humanitarian and Responsibility Fund (Ганден Тендар Линг), the Koshka Vetra Foundation (Ганден Тендар Линг) and the Buddhist center Сохраним Ти бет. The event was open not only to all Buddhists, but also to all animal lovers.
Born in 1970 in Tibet, Rinpoche studied and practiced Buddhism extensively with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Penor Rinpoche (1932-2009). He also received oral transmission of the Khabum of Rongzom Mahapandita from Khenchen Pema Sherab and received training and guidance from the great Dzogchen Mewa master Khenchen Thupten Ozer (1928-2000).
The ceremony took place in downtown Moscow, in the Tverskoy district, in the Amber Plaza building. According to organizers, the animal blessing ceremony continues a precedent set by the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche (1946-2023), who was himself an animal lover and held animal blessing ceremonies twice in Moscow and once times in the Buddhist-majority autonomous republic. from Kalmykia. The most recent ceremony he held before his Parinirvana took place on September 30, 2019, in the Russian capital.
The day opened with Sangnak Rinpoche giving for the first time some words of Dharma on love and compassion for animals. Then, he led several prayers dedicated to the participants' pets, before personally blessing them for a long and happy life and ideal rebirths for the future. Finally, pet owners, an overwhelming majority of whom were cat and dog owners, circled the Buddhist altar with 21 laps performed for the health and well-being of the animals. “The purpose of such a ceremony is to give peace and rest to animals, to give meaning to their lives, so that sooner or later they can achieve complete enlightenment and supreme happiness,” he said. he declares. (Facebook)
The words of Dharma offered by Rinpoche at the beginning were words of compassion and encouragement. “I salute you and all our beloved four-legged friends. There are so many animals who are deprived of warm, loving care. Many cats and dogs live abandoned or homeless. They really need care, affection. I am very happy that in Russia, thanks to the efforts of the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the tradition of such a ceremony of blessing animals began. The animals are the ones who need our help and protection,” Rinpoche said at the start of the ceremony. (Facebook)
“He noted that for practicing Buddhists, the species of one in need of help has never mattered. It is self-evident in the Dharmic tradition that Buddhists should benefit all living beings, “whose number is equal to infinite space,” he emphasized, referring to the bodhisattva vow. (Facebook)
“As humans, we have a multitude of possibilities and we must be a support for all living beings on the planet. If we are cruel, we will incur the disapproval of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who are always compassionate toward all beings. When we care for the helpless, those who cannot defend themselves, it brings joy to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Buddhas and bodhisattvas seek only one thing: for there to be less suffering in this world,” Rinpoche added. (Facebook)
He emphasized that Buddhism has always taught the doctrine of rebirth and past lives. There are an infinite multitude of beings who “were once our parents,” he says. (Facebook) He said that we should cultivate an attitude of concern and compassion by thinking that those who were the people closest to us were reborn in the bodies of various animals. This is why we must strive to treat every being in the best possible way.
“In my past life, I myself have been in the body of an animal several times: in the body of a cat, a dog or other sentient beings. Let everyone who needs care and affection find it, and I will help,” Rinpoche said. (Facebook) He thanked the participants for loving their pets, caring for them and considering them important members of their family. At the end of the ceremony, Lama Sangnak Rinpoche read prayers and mantras with those present for the event.
See more
Ганден Тендар Линг (Facebook)
Кошка ветра (Facebook)
Sokhranim Tibet (Facebook)
Photo report. It's about the animals in the world and the rest of the world – 2019 (Tibetan)
Related news reports from BDG
Russian Buddhism arrives in Hong Kong: an academic and community Sangha
Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Supreme Lama of the Russian Republic of Kalmykia, announces his resignation
Telo Tulku Rinpoche, supreme lama of the Russian Republic of Kalmykia, condemns the war
The only Buddhist monastery in Russia's Ural region demolished
Indian delegation visits Russia to establish collaboration with Buddhist organizations
BDG Related Features
Buddhism and nature
Burning incense for all beings
The wisdom of bees – Fear and respect for all species
Français
Français
English