Celebrating Compassion: Buddhist Animal Blessing and World Animal Day

The practice of assisting animals and releasing them into the wild or nature is a beautiful aspect of Buddhism. It is embraced in the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions, as advised by Buddha himself. This practice not only aids animals in their journey towards enlightenment but also allows the individuals performing the act to gain significant merit in this life.

In the West, however, the practice of releasing captive animals into the wild is rare and can have negative consequences for both the animals and the environment. For instance, released animals may struggle to find food or shelter, or they may not be able to adapt to their new surroundings. Additionally, releasing non-native species can harm local wildlife and disrupt ecosystems.

There are alternative ways to support and liberate animals, such as adopting a vegetarian lifestyle, donating to organizations combating the illegal wildlife trade, or sending prayers to animals experiencing difficult times. These actions can help exhaust negative karma and lead toward ultimate enlightenment in the afterlife.

The Abbot of Quang Minh Temple, Master Phuc Than Thay, has kindly invited the Nalandra Buddhist Institute (NBI) to perform its annual animal blessing at his temple. Quang Minh Temple is recognized as one of Australia's most significant Buddhist sites and the largest Vietnamese temple outside of Vietnam. Each year, thousands of people from across Victoria attend the Quang Minh Tet Festival for performances, stunning fireworks, Buddhist chants, and delicious food.

This year, Nalandra Buddhist Institute is expanding its efforts to include as many participants as possible in the 17th World Animal Blessing Day, celebrated on a grand scale to encourage World Animal Day in a Buddhist way. By reciting the Medicine Buddha and Amitabha Buddha mantras and prayers, we can send blessings to help animals in lower realms, whether they are pets, sick, old, in slaughterhouses, or any other situation. It's a simple act, yet it offers vast-reaching blessings by dedicating the day to them. This event is entirely non-profit, with a large percentage of donations going toward supporting animal welfare across Australia.

Please invite your friends, family, children, and pets to receive Buddha's blessing. Enjoy a fantastic day with pet food for your animals and fun experiences with goats and rabbits in a semi-circle zoo setup. There will be free food to savor and prayers to sing. Come celebrate compassion and make a difference!