FPMT Around the World

Enlightenment for the Dear Animals' Tania Duratovic and Nyingje, who was rescued from death, at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Nepal

October 4 is World Animal Day. Many FPMT students and centers are doing things to benefit animals. If you’d like to do something to help, Enlightenment for the Dear Animals shares the following ideas:

Sangpo, meaning "good hearted," rescued from a pound, and recently re-homed at Kunsang Yeshe Centre, Blue Mountains, Australia

• Go to a local animal shelter and adopt a pet and give it a home and Dharma for the rest of its life;
• If you can’t actually re-home an animal, you can visit a shelter and (perhaps surreptitiously) recite texts and mantras;
• Join your local Dharma center for a pet blessing;
• Recite many mantras, blow on water and then sprinkle or spray the water on insects and animals around your house;
• Sponsor a rescued animal (such as a goat at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary, Nepal, or a dog at MAITRI Charitable Trust, India);
• Change your diet and lifestyle to reduce the market for harming animals — go vegetarian, go vegan, give up fur products, promote non-meat meals for functions at family and work celebrations. 

“World Animal Day commemorates St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. He saw the suffering of animals and did not turn a blind eye to their misery,” EFDA writes. “Our own kind Lama Zopa Rinpoche [spiritual director of FPMT] is a most incredible inspiration in showing us how we can actually benefit these sentient beings caught in the lower realms. For this day, at least, we can do prayers and practices specifically dedicated for them.”

To learn more, visit the World Animal Day webpage.

Vajrayana Institute pet blessing on October 1, 2012, Sydney, Australia

With 158 centers, projects and services around the globe, there is always news on FPMT activities, teachers and events. Mandala hopes to share as many of these timely stories as possible. If you have news you would like to share, please let us know.

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