While the world marks a century of animal advocacy, we at the Nalandra Buddhist Institute are proud to be hosting our 14th annual celebration. ( 17th without covid) We invite everyone—pet owners and animal lovers alike—to join us in a heartfelt tribute to the unconditional love and trust our animal companions offer. This day is our chance to come together, regardless of our dietary choices or whether we own a pet, to dedicate our compassion to these treasured beings. We will honor those who have passed, pray for those seeking a loving home, and show gratitude to our current companions by welcoming them as special guests.

A Timeless Tradition for a Modern World

Inspired by ancient Buddhist practices, Nalandra honors the tradition of liberating animals—a practice that allows individuals to earn significant merit while promoting animal welfare. While the traditional release of captive animals is rare in the West due to environmental concerns, we uphold the spirit of this practice in alternative ways. We believe in supporting animal welfare through actions such as adopting a vegetarian lifestyle, donating to organizations that combat the illegal wildlife trade, and sending prayers to animals in need. These acts are powerful ways to exhaust negative karma and cultivate compassion for all.

Join Us for a Grand Celebration

This year, Nalandra is honored to partner with Quang Minh Temple, one of Australia's most significant Buddhist sites and the largest Vietnamese temple outside of Vietnam. Our recent Animal Blessing Day inspired The Abbot, Master Phuc Than Thay, and Venerable Korean Bikshunis from King Lake Buddhist Centre, who were so moved by our dedication that they offered their venues for future events.

We are excited to host this year's blessing at the Braybrook temple, alongside our Vietnamese Buddhist community. This will be our biggest celebration yet, with the goal of encouraging World Animal Day in a Buddhist way on a grand scale. We will dedicate the day to animals in all situations—pets, sick or elderly animals, and those in slaughterhouses—by reciting the Medicine Buddha and Amitabha Buddha mantras and prayers to send them blessings.

This event is entirely non-profit. All funds raised will be channeled directly to selected animal charities across Australia, ensuring your support goes directly to where it is needed most.

A Day of Joy and Compassion

Please invite your friends, family, children, and pets to receive Buddha's blessing. This will be a day filled with joy and community:

 * Pet-friendly activities: Enjoy special pet food for your animals and a fun semi-circle zoo setup with goats and rabbits.

 * Delicious food: Savor free food for all attendees.

 * Prayers and mantras: Join us in singing prayers and reciting mantras to cultivate peace and blessings.

Come celebrate compassion with us and make a difference in the lives of animals everywhere!