Why is Tsem Rinpoche so kind to animals?
From: davidlai.me
Caring for animals is linked to the Buddhist teaching on compassion. It is obviously a physical expression of compassion and one of the noblest because unlike humans, animals are basically unable to reciprocate kindness. And that’s one of the reasons why Tsem Rinpoche encourages people like me – a typical self-absorbed, self-centered modern individual to take care of a pet like my housemate’s Schnauzer, Zamkar. Taking care of animals does not necessarily mean one is spiritually evolved but it is a tool to help one create that sort of mindset of giving and caring for others with no or less of an agenda.
You see, for Rinpoche, caring for animals is not practice but second nature. As far as I recall, Rinpoche had always noticed hungry stray animals and would always try to feed them with some food he hastily bought from 7-Eleven. He is always the first to notice the beggar on the street or the hungry little puppy rummaging through the rubbish pile. Rinpoche had once said that it is very easy to develop compassion for scruffy cute animals but would it be as easy if we knew what they did in their previous lives to create the karma to land them in that situation? Hence, we should have equal patience/compassion for nasty people in our lives because they are creating the karma to take a bad rebirth. Hence, looking at suffering animals is also a reminder of the effects of our negative karma that will definitely come to fruition one day. Perhaps, if we are kind to those already oppressed by negativity, we might be able to inspire these people to change.
Besides his efforts of having huge fish tanks, aviaries and such, Rinpoche always ensures his assistants stock up his cars with dog food and packets of milk. He is very food of feeding the hungry stray dog. He had taught us to recite Medicine Buddha mantras and blow the mantras into the food to bless them. Even when there was no food available, Rinpoche would at least recite mantras aloud to bless them. He taught all his students to do that, especially to the live fishes kept in aquariums at seafood restaurants. There was once, Rinpoche bought out all the live fishes from a seafood restaurant with the purpose to free them into a lake. This practice of ‘ransoming/liberating’ animals is a unique Buddhist practice that if done with proper prayers and motivation, can extend one’s life.
Although Rinpoche cares so much for animals, the fact remains that animals are unable to practice the Dharma and transform. They can only be blessed with mantras,which will open up in another more conducive lifetime to practice the Dharma. Therefore, Rinpoche takes real good care of his Schnauzers, birds and fishes in his huge aviary and fish tanks. It is Rinpoche’s dream that Kechara Animal Sanctuary would take off to benefit both the animals and the people who take care of them. Rinpoche invests a lot of time, money and effort to ensure they are well-taken cared off and he hopes this will inspire many to do the same. As of writing this, Pastor Susan, an ardent animal lover herself has taken it upon herself to managed this new department and take it off the ground.
Source: http://www.davidlai.me/2013/05/31/why-is-tsem-rinpoche-so-kind-to-animals/
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If we truly believe in karma, it is no doubt that anyone can take rebirth in one of the three lower realms. It is due to our bad karma that we take rebirth as an animal. When we take rebirth in the animal realms, we will not be able to practise the Dharma and life is not easy.
Knowing that we and our loved ones may also take rebirth as an animal, we should treat animals nicely. That is what the Buddha has taught, to be kind to all sentient beings. Besides, animals are weaker than us, we should protect them.
Rinpoche showed us how to treat animals with compassion. If we cannot keep animals at home, we can give them food or sometimes releases fishes to their habitat. When we are kind to animals, we can extend the same kindness to people.
Thanks for sharing this article.
Everytime I walk passby fishes keep in the large pail/aquarium, chickens in the cage and frogs in the cage, I have the intention to save them from the wet market but I have never done it…what I did is only chant mantra and blow on them, but feel I still feel bad that, I couldn’t save them..Is this an act of being selfish?
It is only our privilege right and duty to protect animals and if we can’t at least we should not harm them. This I learnt from Rinpoche. I also learnt that, even though people like me may be animal lovers, but how much do we really “love” animals if we are still eating them? Rinpoche made me realise that going vegetarian seems like the most honest, right thing to do if we say we love animals. This made me realise that most of the people who say we love animals are actually out of self-cherishing attachments, it is more selective love and it is more how the animals makes them “feel” – so that is why the selectiveness and hence, we can love a dog but not a chicken… so by right instead of saying “I love animals”… shouldn’t it be “I love dogs and cats only” ??? Some points to ponder cos if we really do love them, we will not have prejudice bias selective views and definitely not eat them would we? I thank Rinpoche for making me question that and realise my hypocrisy in that statement amongst many others.
Rinpoche is very kind and generous and he always takes care of as many people or lives as possible. We owe so much to him. I also support Pastor Susan and her animal department.
I feel Rinpoche wants to awaken our dormant compassion and to realise that the state that the animals are in , we can go to that state in a moment when our breath stops working. Plus it is important for us to do practice now before we take that final journey.
Animals especially dog, human best friend.
Nice article. It’s true that RInpoche has always loved animals. If you read Rinpoche’s biography, you will see that RInpoche has started caring for many animals since He was very young.
If only more people would take Rinpoche’s example and help KAS to manifest, that would be one of Rinpoche’s deepest wishes come true.
Rinpoche cares so much for animals and he is what inspired me to do what I can to help animals too. Animals are incapable of thanking their saviors and they are generally helpless. They are unable to practice the Dharma as they do not have the physical of mental capability to do so. So, we must pray for them and give them blessings to ensure that they will have a good rebirth that allows them to practice the Dharma.
I rejoice that Rinpoche shows so much care and love for animals and I wish to be able to be at his level of compassion towards animals one day and benefit so much more animals 😀