Animal Blessing and Liberation (in person and online)

Animal Blessing and Liberation

Animal Blessing and Liberation with Geshe Sangpo Join us for this pet and family friendly event! Saturday August 26, 2023 from 10:00-11:30am offered in person and online *** Dogs must be leashed, all other animals must be in cages***

According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, it’s incredibly important to do practices to benefit animals and lead them to liberation: “It’s not enough that you look after animals and they give you comfort. You must do something of practical benefit for them. This is what you can do every day:​ Circumambulate with them around holy objects, chanting mantras. Recite prayers in their ears to plant the seed of all the realizations of the path to enlightenment. This makes a huge difference. It has incredible results, enabling them to have a good rebirth in their next life, to be born as a human being, and meet the Dharma.”

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Come to Kadampa Center in person with your leashed and/or caged pet(s).
2. Join via Zoom -- register HERE -- to participate online with your pet(s) who will benefit from hearing the prayers and mantra recitations during the Animal Blessing portion of the ceremony in the gompa.
3. Watch on YouTube live stream HERE with your pet(s) who will benefit from hearing the prayers and mantra recitations during the Animal Blessing portion of the ceremony in the gompa.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT

• The Animal Blessing Ceremony will begin at 10am in the gompa.
  • Pets who can be easily kept under control by their humans are welcome to join us in the gompa.  
  • CATS and their owners will be seated on the LEFT SIDE of the gompa.
  • DOGS and their owners will enter the gompa, follow along the back wall, and sit on the RIGHT SIDE of the gompa.
  • Humans with other types of pets can choose what's best for them.
  • While in the gompa, Geshe Sangpo will lead us in prayers and mantras to benefit our pets and will bless each pet individually.
• After prayers and mantras inside the gompa, Geshe Sangpo will lead us outside for Circumambulation with our pets.
• After circumambulation, we will liberate {release} earthworms purchased who would otherwise be used for fishing bait into the woods and soil around the Center.  Participants are welcome to purchase and bring earthworms only (no crickets please!) to release during this Animal Liberation part of the ceremony.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Dogs must be on leashes and kept under control.  Please take your dog outside if this is proving to be difficult.
• Cats and other pets must be in cages or carriers.
• All humans should be ready to follow instructions throughtout the Animal Bleassing and Liberation Ceremony.
• Water will be provided for dogs outside the building.
• In the event of bad weather, we will remain inside the gompa.

SPONSOR ANIMAL BLESSING & LIBERATION $75